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San Francisco 49ers: 5 changes Kyle Shanahan needs to make in 2019

By Timothy L. Miller

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 01: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during warm up prior to their game against the Oakland Raiders at Levi's Stadium on November 1, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 01: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during warm up prior to their game against the Oakland Raiders at Levi's Stadium on November 1, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 16: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a sack of Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 16: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a sack of Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Get involved with the defensive coaching

Like his dad, former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, head coach Kyle Shanahan is an offensive guy. He doesn’t apologize for this, nor should he. All arrows are pointing up for the offense going into 2019.

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The fact is, Shanahan is not just an offensive coordinator anymore, though. As the head coach, he oversees the entire team. The offense, defense and special teams.

With such a poor performance from the defense thus far, it will be imperative for Shanahan to get more involved with that unit. No doubt, the replacement of the relatively green Robert Saleh with a veteran defensive coordinator would relieve Shanahan of some of the defensive oversight. But as long as he is primarily responsible for the performance of the team, Shanahan will need to leave a larger imprint on the defensive side of the ball.

At least until it begins performing at an acceptable level.