SAN FRANCISCO – "One word: Elite."
49ers running back Christian McCaffrey didn't need much time to come up his best description for new Titans head coach Robert Saleh.
McCaffrey watched Saleh work as defensive coordinator with the 49ers, but said his job was much more encompassing. He watched Saleh motivate players on both sides of the ball, and get the best out of them. He saw how he treated them inside the building. He's good for the culture, McCaffrey said.
It's why he thinks Saleh will be successful in his second shot as a head coach, this time in Tennessee.
"He's an unbelievable coach," McCaffrey said. "A great man, all the things you would want in a coach."
Here at the Pro Bowl Games, TennesseeTitans.com spoke to all five of the 49ers on hand this week, and all sang Saleh's praises.
Some have shared their thoughts with the two Titans at the Pro Bowl, Jeffery Simmons and Chimere Dike.
"I have so much respect for him, the way he handles his business," 49ers tackle Trent Williams said of Saleh. "Not only the way he leads the team, and his defense – the proof is in the pudding on that side. But just how he goes about it every day, the man he is. He is the right guy for the job.
"His intensity, his focus and his accountability. He holds everybody accountable, no matter how much you get paid, no matter where you got drafted. He's going to hold you to the same standard and it creates a really good culture in the locker room. I think Tennessee has nothing but good things in store."
Saleh was introduced as head coach of the Tennessee Titans last week.
Prior to joining the Titans, Saleh served his second stint as defensive coordinator with the 49ers.
Saleh also served as defensive coordinator with the 49ers from 2017-2020, when his defenses were also considered elite.
During his time in the NFL, Saleh has been a part of nine top-10 defenses, and in his nine seasons as a defensive coordinator or head coach, his team has finished in the top five in total defense on five occasions.
Saleh was head coach of the New York Jets for four seasons (2021-24), which were sandwiched in between his time with the 49ers.
"I think we all knew (he'd get another HC job)," 49ers linebacker Luke Gifford said of Saleh. "He's too good of a coach not to. We knew that our time with him would probably be limited, so we were just trying to soak it up as long as we could, and take in as much information from him as we could because he has really good stuff, and I know that we all appreciate him and the wisdom that he has."
Gifford has a unique perspective on Saleh and the Titans – he played for Saleh, and he also spent two seasons with the Titans (2023-24). So, he knows the city, and some of the personnel in Tennessee.
He thinks Saleh and the Titans are a great match.
"He's a really good dude, a great leader of men," Gifford said of Saleh. "I think he's perfect for Nashville, too. You know what you are going to get out of him all the time, and I think I can speak for the guys: We all love him. I think it'll be great for Tennessee.
"He's consistent, super positive, always has a lot of energy. That's probably my favorite thing about him is you know what you are going to get every day in meetings, and as a player that's all you can ask for.
"(Players) will love him. I was actually talking to Jeff (Simmons) about it the other night," Gifford continued. "Obviously having been in the scheme for a year with him, him and (T'Vondre) Sweat are going to eat up front, and I know it will be good for the backers behind him and the rest will just kind of fall into place. Knowing what is over there in Tennessee, having been with them, I know it's a great fit for them."
In 2025, with the roster decimated by injuries, including season-ending injuries to All-Pro defensive lineman Nick Bosa and All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, the 49ers went 12-5 during the regular season and progressed to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
While with the 49ers in 2019, Saleh was named Coordinator of the Year by Sporting News after leading San Francisco's defense to a second-place finish in total defense – 281.8 yards allowed per game – which was the fewest total yards allowed per game by the team since 1997 (250.8).
Aside from his influence on the defense, players say Saleh had a wide span inside the building.
"They're getting the ultimate leader of men," fullback Kyle Juszczyk said. "Robert Saleh is just incredible at commanding a room, and getting people to work toward a common goal. He is just phenomenal.
"(His leadership) trickled down throughout the whole team. You'd see Saleh all over the building, in the cafeteria, he's talking with offensive guys as well. There's just an aura about him that brings positivity. (He preaches) hard work, working for one another, and just not being selfish."
49ers long snapper Jon Weeks said the energy from Saleh's defense impacted the entire team.
"He relates to his players really well, and what everyone loves about him is the energy that he brings," Weeks said. "The aggression and the energy guys bring (playing for him) – guys fly around, and they love playing for him. He brings energy from the sideline and guys want to play for him. I think that's why his defenses are so good."
McCaffrey said the 49ers were sad to see Saleh go.
"Happy for him, sad he's leaving," McCaffrey said. "Being around him every day you can see why he is the coach that he is. So, it is obviously tough when you lose a guy like that. But extremely happy for him and his family."
Williams, like a lot of the 49ers, said they suspected Saleh wouldn't be in the Bay area long.
Williams said he thinks Saleh landed in a good spot, in Tennessee.
And he doesn't think it was by accident.
"With that defense, obviously you have the best building block you can have with big Jeffery Simmons," Williams said. "And having obviously Cam (Ward) – Cam is a baller man. Watching him navigate the game last year when we played them. Obviously, it wasn't in a winning effort (by Tennessee), but to watch how (Cam) threw the ball, to watch his command, and to watch the accuracy that he played with. He is a really special talent.
"And that probably had a lot to do with why coach Saleh took that job there."
