Kyle Shanahan vs. Tom Cable for Head Coach Points to Major 49ers Fork in the Road

Jan 15, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York looks on during a press conference to introduce Jim Tomsula as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York looks on during a press conference to introduce Jim Tomsula as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
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The San Francisco 49ers are down to two head coaching candidates in their search to fill the 2017 void — Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and Seattle Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable. The contrast between the two couldn’t be any more different.

York Caserio 49ers
Feb 8, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York during a “Handoff to Houston” press conference at the Super Bowl Media Center at Moscone Center-West. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

It’s come down to this for the San Francisco 49ers — either Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan or Seattle Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable will wind up being the head coach for the Niners in 2017.

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This, of course after the news New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was bowing out of consideration.

It’s absolutely a turning point for the franchise heading into such an uncertain period in its history. Shanahan and Cable’s reputations couldn’t be any more different. And yet both have made it to the “final two.”

CEO Jed York and Vice President of Football Operations Paraag Marathe — who have been conducting the interviews — have a key decision to make. That goes without saying.

So let’s break down that situation. How did the Niners get, well, here?

Kicking things off with McDaniels bowing out.

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