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San Francisco 49ers: 7 Reasons Why Kyle Shanahan Is the Best Fit for Head Coach

By Eric Gamboa

Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan before a game against the Washington Redskins at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan before a game against the Washington Redskins at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 29, 2016; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan reacts during training camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2016; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan reacts during training camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Kyle Shanahan, University of Texas, Wide Receiver

Like many former players, turned coaches, Kyle Shanahan follows in the same path that many former successful coaches have taken. These coaches learned the game first as players and then as coaching assistants before moving on to more prominent coaching roles.

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If you need an example of that, look no further and former 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Harbaugh played quarterback for Michigan and then as a pro.

Kyle Shanahan played wide receiver for the University of Texans in the early 2000s, per hookem.com. During his time with the Longhorns, Shanahan played with QBs Chris Simms, now an analyst with Bleacher Report. Interesting fact, Simms and Shanahan are best friends.

In fact, Simms has “K. S.” tattooed on his leg.

Shanahan has learned early on as a player how football locker rooms are and what teams are. Shanahan understands football culture very well. So well, he made his QB his best friend and get a tat with is initials. That’s not nothing.

Shanahan started his football career being a ball boy for the Denver Broncos, per ESPN. He has literally been engulfed by the game since the day he was born.