The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday. He led New York to a 2-3 record in 2024 and was relieved of his coaching duties ahead of a Week 6 “Monday Night Football” game against the Bills. 

Saleh was hired in 2021 and had a 20-36 coaching record with New York. Even though Saleh didn’t have a reliable player at quarterback until this year, team owner Woody Johnson felt that he had seen enough. New York will now turn to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich for the remainder of the season.

While Saleh’s firing was due to team performance, the internet will find a way to stir up controversy. During the team’s game against the Vikings in Week 5, Saleh wore a team sweatshirt featuring a Lebanese flag patch on his arm. That caused some fans to wonder whether that display played a role in his firing. 

The Sporting News explains why Saleh wore the patch, and fact-checks whether it was related to his firing. 

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Robert Saleh Lebanon flag, explained

Saleh was born in Michigan but is also of Lebanese descent. He was the first Muslim head coach in NFL history and is the fourth Arab-American head coach in history, joining Ed Khayat, Rich Kotite and Abe Gibron, all of whom are also of Lebanese descent. 

Both of Saleh’s parents were born in Lebanon and emigrated to the United States ahead of his birth in 1979.

Saleh decided to wear the Lebanese flag on his arm during at least two NFL games as a nod to his heritage. 

How long has Robert Saleh worn a Lebanese flag?

Saleh doesn’t wear the flag every week, but he has worn the patch before. He did exactly that during a game last October. Some interpreted Saleh wearing the flag as a political statement. Fighting between Israel and Lebanon — in connection with the Israel-Palestine war — began weeks before Saleh wore the flag on his sleeve in 2023. 

At the time, however, the NFL encouraged players and coaches to wear patches representing their heritage. Players added decals to the back of their helmets with their flags, while coaches added a patch to their team gear. 

NFL executive vice president of club business, international and events Peter O’Reilly said the following regarding the initiative:

As we continue to prioritize the NFL’s growth globally, we’re proud to have our players and coaches honor their backgrounds through the NFL Heritage Program. This initiative allows us to celebrate the heritage, families and cultures that make up the fabric of the League, and truly showcases the growing global reach and impact of the sport of football and the NFL.

Other players and coaches who have taken part in the wearing of a sticker or patch include former head coach Bill Belichick (Croatia), quarterback Kyler Murray (South Korea), tight end Dalton Kincaid (Canada), wide receiver DJ Moore (Jamaica), wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (Germany) and Giants head coach Brian Daboll (Canada). 

With the Israel-Palestine war still ongoing, some suggested Saleh wore the patch in Week 5 as a statement as opposed to a nod to his heritage.

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Where is Robert Saleh from?

Saleh was born in Dearborn, Michigan on Jan. 31, 1979. His parents, Sam and Fatin, both came to the U.S. earlier in their lives from Lebanon.

Robert’s father Sam played college football for Eastern Michigan University. 

Why did the Jets fire Robert Saleh?

The firing of Saleh came as a surprise, but it wasn’t the actual act of firing that was shocking — it was the timing. Saleh was fired just days after the Jets’ loss to the Vikings in London, England. He was reportedly part of team meetings Monday and was set to take on a similar role Tuesday before being blindsided by his firing.

Saleh’s tenure with the Jets was marred by poor quarterback play in his first couple of seasons. Those issues led to Saleh going 18-33 over his first three years with the Jets. New York thought it found an answer to those woes after acquiring Aaron Rodgers, but that didn’t work last season after a Week 1 injury ended his 2023 campaign. 

Rodgers is healthy this year, but a 2-3 start wasn’t seen as good enough by a team owner who views the team in win-now mode.

Saleh finished his Jets tenure with a 20-36 record. 

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Who owns the Jets?

The Jets are owned by Woody Johnson. He’s a businessman specializing in private investments.

Johnson purchased the Jets in 2000 for $635 million, which was the third-highest price for a sports franchise at the time. 

Johnson didn’t technically hire Saleh. At the time, Johnson was serving as a U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom as a part of President Donald Trump’s administration. While Johnson was serving in that role, his brother Christopher took over operating the Jets.

Christopher is technically the one who hired Saleh to be the new head coach.

Woody resumed his position with the Jets in 2021, though he remains a big political donor. In the years since Johnson’s return, Saleh apparently hasn’t done enough to impress. And Johnson will look for a coach of his own after the 2024 NFL season.