49ers 2016 Options to Replace Jim Tomsula and Geep Chryst
By Jerod Brown
Jun 17, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan coaches during minicamp at Falcons Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Head Coach Candidate Kyle Shanahan
49er fans recognize the last name. Mike Shanahan, former 49ers offensive coordinator and Super Bowl winning head coach of the Denver Broncos in 1997 and 1998, is the father to the current offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons.
The young Shanahan also worked in Washington with quarterback Robert Griffin III and was offensive coordinator in 2012 when the team ranked fifth in yards, fourth in points, and led the league in least giveaways.
Julio Jones, the dynamic Atlanta Falcons wide receiver has had complaints this year about not seeing the endzone enough recently, according to Vaughn McClure, a staff writer with ESPN. Jones had gone five games without scoring before finally breaking the trend last Sunday against Jacksonville.
If Shanahan has a difficult time finding ways to get Julio Jones the ball in scoring positions, it is hard to imagine a scenario where he excels with San Francisco’s receivers. Would he be able to use Torrey Smith as a weapon? Or would fans continue to be confused by the lack of deep shots built into the offense?
Shanahan would be getting his first opportunity as a head coach and would be expected to agree with and acknowledge the power that general manager Trent Baalke holds, a requirement for whoever coaches this team. Baalke is CEO Jed York’s man and assuming he remains as general manager, the new coach would likely need to be willing to concede to Baalke.
Any coach worth his weight would have a hard time coming to the situation in San Francisco and also being told that he’ll operate within the directions of a GM, whose resume is fading quickly.
Unfortunately, until the power struggle changes, the 49ers will be searching for new and inexperienced coaches willing to deal with York and Baalke throughout their tenure. Shanahan may not be willing to walk into that as his first head coaching gig.
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