Culture
What’s behind firing of Robert Saleh, NFL’s first Muslim, Lebanese head coach?
The New York Jets were performing poorly under the Lebanese American Saleh amid rumors of tensions with outspoken quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
NEW YORK — The New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday, ending the tenure of the first Muslim head coach in the National Football League.
What happened: Jets owner Woody Johnson announced the surprising move in a statement following media reports that Saleh, 45, had been fired.
“This was not an easy decision, but we are not where we should be given our expectations, and I believe now is the best time to for us to move in a different direction,” said Johnson.
Saleh’s defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, will serve as interim head coach, per the statement.
