Kyle Shanahan follows his father’s footsteps. As the son of Ring of Fame former coach, Mike Shanahan, Kyle has not disappointed. His extraordinary leadership skills and coaching abilities have moved the San Francisco 49ers in position to grab the league’s ultimate prize. In 2019, they lost it in Super Bowl LIV to the Kansas City Chiefs, and in 2021, the team lost the NFC Championship Game to the Los Angeles Rams. However, recognizing the fortitude for getting close to the ring, 49ers leadership extended Shanahan’s contract thru the 2025 season.
Shanahan began his coaching career at UCLA as a graduate assistant. Hired in 2004 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an offensive coach, he managed quality control. Since that time, he continued to rise through the ranks as a receivers coach, quarterbacks coach, and offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, and Atlanta Falcons. In 2017, the 49ers signed Shanahan to the head coach position.
Before taking on the head coaching position for San Francisco, Shanahan led a top 10-ranked offense in 6 out of his 9 seasons as an offensive coordinator between 2008 and 2016. He was also named AP Assistant Coach of the Year, Coordinator of the Year by The Sporting News and Assistant Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America in 2016. In his third season, the team broke down barriers to almost win it all. In response to his effective leadership skills, the 49ers extended Shanahan’s contract five years, a testament to faith in the future of the franchise and appreciation for Shanahan's coaching skills.