New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, right, coaches some of his linemen on the field during warmups before a game against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 29 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP file photo)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers began their search for a new defensive coordinator Thursday by interviewing Robert Saleh for a second stint at the job and Detroit Lions assistant Deshea Townsend.

Saleh is a 2001 graduate of Northern Michigan University who played football for four years for the Wildcats.

The Niners fired Nick Sorensen earlier this week after just one season in the role and seek their fourth defensive coordinator in the past four seasons.

DeMeco Ryans left after his second season in the role in 2022 to become head coach of the Houston Texans and Steve Wilks was fired after the 2023 season when San Francisco went to the Super Bowl.

The 49ers regressed this season under Sorensen as the injury-filled unit struggled.

Saleh helped build a defense that was one of the league’s most dominant units the previous few years. He was Shanahan’s first defensive coordinator in 2017 and struggled the first two seasons.

Townsend is in his first season as passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach in Detroit after spending the previous two seasons in that role for Jacksonville. Townsend has also worked as an assistant for Arizona, Tennessee, the New York Giants and Chicago following a 13-year playing career.

Townsend had 21 career interceptions and was part of two Super Bowl-winning defenses with Pittsburgh in the 2005 and 2008 seasons.

The Lions led the NFL this season in allowing an 82.0 passer rating, down from the 91.5 in 2023.

Townsend was only allowed to interview virtually under NFL rules, which forbid coaches currently under contract with any team from interviewing in person until Jan. 20.

The interviews satisfy the requirements to the Rooney Rule, which require teams to interview at least two diverse candidates from outside the organization before making a coordinator hire.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl