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ROBERT SALEH is poised to become the first Muslim to be head coach of an NFL team after reaching an agreement in principle with the New York Jets.
Saleh, 41, will replace Adam Gase, who was fired after a season-ending loss to the New England Patriots left the Jets with a 2-14 record.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee said Saleh would be the third Arab-American head coach in the NFL following Abe Gibron and Rich Kotite, but he would be the first ever Muslim head coach.
Saleh, who has 16 years of NFL coaching experience with Houston, Seattle, Tennessee and San Francisco, helped the 49ers to the Super Bowl last season with the number-two ranked defence.
The 49ers ranked fifth on defence this season despite losing key players to injury, making Saleh an in-demand coach as several teams look to replace the man at the top.
Saleh, who is of Lebanese descent, reportedly also spoke to Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta, Jacksonville and the Los Angeles Chargers before agreeing terms with the Jets.