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FLORHAM PARK, NJ – The New York Jets have a new coach and a new way of doing business.
On the day they introduced Robert Saleh as head coach, the Jets announced a reorganization of their power structure. It will be led by President Woody Johnson, who flew to the United States on Thursday after completing a three-year term as U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Johnson will resume his duties as principal owner “very soon,” according to Christopher Johnson, who ran the franchise during his older brother’s absence. Christopher will become the vice president and retain a leading role in day-to-day operations.
Instead of reporting directly to ownership, as the two previous coaches did, Saleh will work directly under general manager Joe Douglas. This means greater power for Douglas, who has led the search for coaches and will always report to the property.
Christopher Johnson said the new setup is “a straightforward and straightforward way of doing things.” One aspect of the dynamic is unusual in that Saleh did not meet Woody Johnson, who has owned the team since 2000. Woody Johnson, who lived in London, was not directly involved in seeking coaching.
“I haven’t had a conversation with Woody yet,” Saleh said during a virtual press conference. “[I’m] really excited to take this opportunity in the near future. “
Saleh said he “isn’t at all worried” about his unfamiliarity with his boss, adding that he expected it to be “a collaborative effort.”
Woody Johnson will have the final say on all decisions, according to Christopher Johnson, who expects “a fair amount of continuity” due to a strong working relationship with his brother.
While serving overseas, Woody Johnson was the subject of a U.S. government investigation which found he made racist and sexist remarks. Johnson issued a refusal.
In four seasons with Christopher Johnson as interim owner, the Jets have gone 18-46, finishing last in the division three times.
Obviously, Saleh is embarking on a tall order, but he was optimistic and confident during his introduction to the media.
“Get used to the mantra: all gas, no brakes,” said Saleh, who signed a five-year contract.
Saleh, who has spent the past four seasons as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, said he won’t call the games defensive. This will allow him to be a CEO-type coach, a departure from the previous staff – a welcome change from an organizational perspective. Former coach Adam Gase called the games offensive and mostly focused on this side of the ball.
Saleh will hand over the defensive play call to new coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, most recently the interim defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.
Former 49ers passing coach Mike LaFleur will be the offensive coordinator, Saleh confirmed.
The biggest question Saleh faces is the future of quarterback Sam Darnold. Repeating Douglas’s public stance on Darnold, Saleh praised the former first-round pick but stopped before committing to him as a starter.
Saleh said he is still evaluating the list. With the second pick in the April draft, the Jets could go for a quarterback. He wasn’t going to give them his hand.
“He’s got incredible arm talent,” Saleh said of Darnold, the NFL’s lowest-rated passer in 2020. “There’s a reason he was the No.3 pick in the game. [2018] Rough draft. He’s fearless in the pocket. He has a natural throwing motion. He is mobile. He is extremely intelligent. He’s hard as nails. His reputation in the locker room is indisputable.
“You can see all of these qualities on tape and around the building by the way people are talking about him.”
Ultimately, the decision rests with Douglas, who has the final say on the list.
The dominant theme of the press conference was Saleh’s leadership and ability to connect with players, which the Jets felt were lacking under Gase.
“When we met him,” Christopher Johnson said of Saleh, “we knew we had our coach.”
Saleh, trying to rebuild the culture, has already contacted every player via text message. He said there was “a lot of talent on that roster” – he sprang from defensive tackle Quinnen Williams – but admitted there was a lot of work to be done.
“It will take time,” he said, “but everything we do will be designed to win championships in the future.”
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