MARQUETTE — Former Northern Michigan University great Robert Saleh was named head coach of the NFL’s New York Jets, as announced by the team late Thursday.

Saleh played tight end for the Wildcats from 1998-2002 while earning a business degree in finance.

He went on to coach at various NCAA Division I institutions as a defensive assistant, including stops at Michigan State, Central Michigan and Georgia, before making the jump to the NFL as a defensive intern with the Houston Texans in 2005.

Most recently, Saleh served as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers from 2017-20, helping lead the team to an appearance in Super Bowl LIV.

The 41-year-old Saleh is believed to be the first Muslim head coach in NFL history.