Jeff Ulbrich's disastrous NY Jets coaching job could land Robert Saleh a HC role

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Robert Saleh, Jeff Ulbrich
Robert Saleh, Jeff Ulbrich | Rich Schultz/GettyImages

Former NY Jets head coach Robert Saleh has cemented himself as one of the hottest names on the coaching market this offseason. With three different teams already interested, Saleh might not have to wait long for another head coach opportunity.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday that the Dallas Cowboys are expected to interview Saleh for their vacant head coach position. While the Cowboys have been connected to other candidates, Saleh is the team's first confirmed interview request.

Saleh already interviewed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday and has another meeting lined up with the Las Vegas Raiders this Thursday. Now, you can add the Cowboys to the growing list of teams showing interest.

In reality, Saleh might have one man to thank for his skyrocketing stock over the last couple of months: his former defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich.

Robert Saleh's stock is rising after Jeff Ulbrich's abysmal NY Jets coaching job

Saleh has always been a widely respected defensive-minded coach around the NFL. Unfortunately, his struggles with the Jets hurt his stock over the last three years, so much so that most didn't expect him to be a legitimate head coach candidate so soon when he was fired a few months ago.

But what transpired in the months since Saleh's firing has done more to improve his stock than anything he did over his three-plus years as Jets head coach.

Saleh led the Jets to a 2-3 record to start the 2024 season which included losses to a healthy San Francisco 49ers team, a playoff-caliber Denver Broncos team, and a Minnesota Vikings that would go on to win 14 games.

With the benefit of hindsight, those losses to the Broncos and Vikings look better — just like Saleh’s coaching does compared to Ulbrich’s performance after the former's firing.

The Jets completely bottomed out following Saleh's ousting. The Jets' defense ranked sixth in EPA/play from Weeks 1-5 under Saleh and 30th in EPA/play from Weeks 6-18 after Ulbrich took over.

Ulbrich went 3-9 in his 12 games as Jets head coach, a tenure marred by locker room dysfunction, off-field controversies, and on-field struggles. While Saleh may not have been perfect, Ulbrich's stint highlighted just how much worse things could get.

And it's Ulbrich's disastrous coaching job that has indirectly led to increased interest in Saleh around the NFL. Teams view Saleh more as a victim of a terrible situation rather than the cause of it.

Reports suggest Saleh as one of the favorites for the Jaguars head coach opening. Even if he's unable to land a head coach job, he has the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator position waiting for him.

The Jets will continue their search for a new head coach while their former chosen candidate pursues opportunities of his own — opportunities he may not have received right away if not for the poor performance of his ex-DC. In a way, Ulbrich is the ultimate wingman.

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