NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco initially reported that Scruggs would join Saleh in Tennessee. He later clarified that Saleh’s approach is not finalized and that the defensive line coach job could go in a different direction as Saleh continues to assess options.
The Titans announced Saleh as their new head coach on Thursday, finalizing a five-year contract after he spent the past season as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator. With the coaching transition underway, the specific staffing moves for Tennessee’s defensive line room remain unresolved.
Greg Scruggs has a long history with Saleh, having played under him with the Seattle Seahawks and worked with him in New York with the Jets before spending this past season with the 49ers as the assistant defensive line coach. His familiarity with Saleh’s system made him a logical fit for Tennessee, at least initially.
For the 49ers, the situation is a reminder that a coordinator leaving for a head coaching job often comes with staff adjustments. San Francisco was prepared for the possibility of losing Scruggs and granted permission for him to be hired by Tennessee, though the final coaching staff decisions now lie with Saleh.
If Gus Bradley is promoted to defensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan indicated he would have a broad pool of candidates to fill the remaining position-coach roles. Bradley’s extensive coordinator and head-coaching background across multiple NFL organizations could shape the 49ers’ defensive staff as Saleh’s replacement plans unfold, reinforcing the fluid nature of NFL staff moves during a head-coaching transition.
