Robert Saleh expresses positive feelings after being fired by the Jets
Jets head coach during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 19, 2024. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Robert Saleh expressed gratitude to the Jets organization and love and appreciation to the players the day after he was dismissed as the head coach.
Saleh released a statement Wednesday morning. He closed it with “All Gas No Brake!!!,” his signature catch phrase when he took over the Jets in 2021.
“To the Jets Organization, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many incredible people,” Saleh wrote. “I will always be appreciative of the love and support from everyone at 1 Jets Drive.
“To all of the players, I truly love and appreciate every single one of you. The character of the men in the locker room made coaching you guys the ultimate privilege. Through all the ups and downs, each and every one of you showed up every day and attacked every moment.
“To my fellow coaches and staff, it has been an honor to work with all of you. Every one of you were 'all in' and made sacrifices for one another that will never be forgotten. I wish you all the very best of luck for the remainder of the season.”
Jets owner Woody Johnson terminated Saleh after a 2-3 start and named Jeff Ulbrich the interim coach.
The Jets have Super Bowl aspirations, but they have not looked like a contender. They’ve dropped two in a row. The tipping point was the Jets' loss to Minnesota on Sunday in London, where Johnson served as U.S. Ambassador for four years under former President Donald Trump.
Johnson said this is “one of the most talented teams that has ever been assembled by the New York Jets,” and he felt this change “will bring new energy and positivity that will lead to more wins starting now.”
Saleh is under contract for one more season. He likely will be a hot candidate in the offseason for any defensive coordinator openings. The Jets were a top five defense the past two seasons and are again thus far this season, running Saleh’s system.
He also thanked the Jets’ fans in his statement.
“To the most passionate fan base in the NFL, thank you for embracing my family,” Saleh wrote. “It has been a pleasure calling New York our home and we will forever appreciate all of the memories that were created here.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
