San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh raised some eyebrows with comments he made about Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen this week. Coen got the last laugh on Sunday, and things got a bit heated between the two on the field after the game.
Coen and Saleh could be seen exchanging words on the field after the Jaguars beat the 49ers 26-21 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Ca. on Sunday. Coen appeared to be the most animated of the two, but both had to be held back by their players.
REAL heat between Coen and Saleh pic.twitter.com/U8IGAznn3f
— Gump Cathcart (@bubbagumpino) September 28, 2025
Saleh had openly said during the week that the Jaguars employed an advanced sign-stealing system under Coen, though he made it clear there was nothing illegal about it. Coen did not take the bait during the week, but it certainly looks like the comments bothered him.
While the Jaguars did not have the best day on offense, they did get the last laugh. The team tallied 325 total yards and led the entire way after taking the lead in the second quarter. Saleh’s defense failed to force any turnovers, while the Niners coughed the ball up four times.
Coen had a pretty mild-mannered reputation when the Jaguars hired him during the offseason, but he has quickly shown that he has a fiery side. More importantly, he also has the Jaguars at 3-1, and his players will undoubtedly love his willingness to confront a rival coach who said things about him that could be construed as quite disrespectful.
