Robert Saleh Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The San Francisco 49ers were never ever to quite get up off of the mat after an injury to the reigning offensive player of the year, Christian McCaffrey, cost him the first week of the season, and eventually the overwhelming majority of the campaign.

In fact, San Francisco would continue to suffer injuries to critical pieces of its team, and in a year when they hoped to make it back to the Super Bowl to avenge last season’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Niners failed to make the playoffs.

The organization made sure to let the football world early in the process that it would stand behind head coach Kyle Shanahan as it looked to get things turned back on track.

However, that didn’t mean that Shanahan’s staff was quite so secure.

The Niners moved on from multiple coaches, including both their special teams coordinator and defensive coordinator. On Friday night, the team came to terms with its next defensive coordinator, bringing back a familiar face.

Reunion: After interviewing for three head coaching jobs, Robert Saleh is now officially returning to the (49ers) as defensive coordinator, per sources.

People were interested in these podcasts
Play Episode
69min
The Play-By-Play
Bill Belichick/Jordon Hudson discussion, sports media turns on NFL insiders
How does the media talk about Bill Belichick's and Jordon Hudson's relationship? People taking NFL insiders to task on how they report free agency news. Who are some of the top stars of online sports media? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:41: NFL insiders criticized for how they report free agent news-18:12: Kyle Hamilton of the Week-20:52: Breakout Stars of Online Sports Media Draft-43:07: How to discuss Bill Belichick’s and Jordon Hudson’s relationship?-58:11: Basketball sports betting being terrible contributing to lack of interest in the NBA-1:03:16: Women’s NCAA Tournament without Caitlin ClarkYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
ESPN fires RG3 and Sam Ponder, Ariel Helwani partners with Yahoo, Mina Kimes vs. Clay Travis
On the first episode of The Play-By-Play, Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss ESPN firing Robert Griffin III and Sam Ponder, Ariel Helwani announcing that he's partnering with Yahoo Sports and the social media feud between ESPN's Mina Kimes and Clay Travis.Time Stamps:-:06: Welcome to The Play-By-Play!-3:03: Podcasting-18:49: Ariel Helwani partners with Yahoo Sports-33:51: Mina Kimes vs. Clay Travis-47:00: WWE superstar Sheamus is College GameDay's first celebrity guest picker of the season.-50:49: Stephen A. Smith interviews Tom Brady at Fanatics FestYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
NBA negativity, Caitlin Clark's TIME interview, Bill Belichick to UNC
Sports media is overwhelmingly negative about the NBA. Conservatives take issue on Caitlin Clark's TIME Athlete of the Year interview. Bill Belichick is going to coach for the Tar Heels. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:00: Negativity from sports media world on NBA-27:17: Bill Belichick going to UNC-36:06: Mike Florio suggesting Bears trade for Kyle Shanahan-41:18: College football calendar issues-45:53: Caitlin Clark’s Time interview reactions-54:11: Dave Pasch profile-56:17: Aaron Rodgers’ Netflix docuseriesYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Paul-Tyson Netflix fight issues, 'Inside the NBA' to ESPN
Netflix's tech issues made it difficult to watch the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight. "Inside the NBA" finds a new home. More people are heading to Bluesky. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:23: Netflix’s tech issues during Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight-18:22: NFL Christmas games being “make or break” for Netflix-22:10: “Inside the NBA” heads to ESPN-35:43: Winners and losers to the ESPN/“Inside the NBA” deal-51:21: People heading to Bluesky-1:00:47: Barstool hiring Jon Gruden-1:04:39: Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame announcementYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Saleh impressed in interviews and now is back in a familiar place, with a chance to become a hot HC candidate again in 2026,” reported Tom Pelissero.

It’ll be interesting to see if Saleh is as successful in his second stint with the organization.

About Qwame Skinner

Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. At Next Impulse, Qwame covers sports with the same enthusiasm he brings to his recreational basketball and softball leagues.