The Jacksonville Jaguars signed linebackers coach Robert Saleh and assistant linebackers coach Scottie Hazelton to contracts, head coach Gus Bradley announced today.
"We are excited about the two new additions to the coaching staff," Bradley said. "I have known both men for a number of years and I know what they will bring to our staff. Both men are extremely hard working individuals and have a passion and desire to help our team get better."
Saleh, 35, has nine years of NFL coaching experience and spent the last three seasons as the defensive quality control coach for the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Saleh was responsible for assisting the defensive staff with day-to-day duties, while focusing on the development of the linebackers. As part of Seattle's staff, Saleh worked under Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley (Seahawks defensive coordinator, 2009-12) and Jaguars defensive line coach Todd Wash (Seahawks defensive line coach, 2011-12).
Prior to joining the Seahawks, Saleh spent six seasons (2005-10) with the Houston Texans, including the final two as the assistant linebackers coach. In Houston, Saleh oversaw the growth of Texans linebackers, including Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year performances by DeMeco Ryans (2006) and Brian Cushing (2009). Saleh served as the Texans defensive assistant from 2005-08, handling the quality control aspects of the defense.
Saleh spent four seasons coaching in the collegiate ranks, working at Georgia (2005), Central Michigan (2004) and Michigan State (2002-03). A native of Dearborn, Mich., he attended Northern Michigan University where he started at tight end for four years. Saleh and his wife, Sanaa, have two sons, Adam and Zane.
A veteran of 18 years of coaching experience on the collegiate, Hazelton previously served one season as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Nevada after being named to the post in January of 2013. Hazleton came to Nevada after one season at Southern California where he coached linebackers for the Trojans. With the Trojans, he helped the USC defense improve in pass defense, pass efficiency defense and tackles for loss (eighth in the nation) and coached Dion Bailey and Hayes Pullard to All-Pac 12 honors as sophomores.
Hazelton, 40, spent five seasons (2007-11) at North Dakota State, the first three years coaching the defensive line before he was promoted to defensive coordinator for the final two seasons. North Dakota State won the FCS national championship in 2011 and the Bison defense ranked in the FCS Top 20 in six categories: first in scoring defense, eighth in turnover margin, 16th in pass efficiency defense, 17th in rushing defense, 19th in sacks and 20th in total defense.
Prior to joining North Dakota State, Hazelton spent the 2006 season as linebackers coach at Michigan Tech and was the defensive coordinator at Missouri Southern from 2004-05. He served as defensive backs coach at Saint Olaf College in Minnesota from 2002-03. Hazelton began his coaching career at Fort Lewis College, his alma mater, handling the secondary for four seasons (1996-99) and serving as interim defensive coordinator in 1998. He was a graduate assistant working with the safeties for two seasons (2000-01) at North Dakota State where he worked under Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley and Jaguars defensive coordinator Bob Babich.
A native of Brighton, Colo., Hazelton starred at Horizon High School before playing linebacker at Fort Lewis College, where he was a three-year letter winner. He and his wife, Brooke, have two daughters, Ava and Sophie, and two sons, Bode West and Code Mosley.
