PFF botched its ranking of Kyle Shanahan among head coaches

While Pro Football Focus’ placement of the 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan among all head coaches in 2022 isn’t terrible, one coach ahead of him is a head-scratcher.

It’s understandable why many fans (and probably analysts) have a love-hate relationship with the NFL analytics powerhouse, Pro Football Focus.

Admittedly, we use a lot of their data here at Niner Noise, and it can be a helpful tool in determining how effective or liable a player or specific unit might be over the course of a season or offseason. Some of PFF’s rankings can be pretty helpful, too.

But none of this is to say it’s a perfect system. Far from it.

And PFF can come up with some pretty, um… questionable breakdowns as far as rankings and grades are concerned.

Such as where they elected to rank San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan among all 32 NFL head coaches heading into 2022.

PFF ranks 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan at No. 7 among NFL head coaches

Shanahan made his way into the top 10 of all NFL head coaches this upcoming season, which is probably a fair assessment.

Even if it’s the lower half of this top-third tier.

PFF placed Shanahan at No. 7 overall in this ranking, justifying it by writing the following:

"Offensive Rank: 6/26 (+64 points scored a season)Defensive Rank: 16/26 (+5 points allowed a season)Shanahan has been publicly lauded for impressive offensive outputs despite middling passers running his offense, and this is borne out in the data, as well. Unfortunately, his overall mediocre defensive outputs considering the talent at his disposal has been captured, too."

Not exactly sure about the defensive rankings here, as the Niners have had top-10 defenses in each of the last two seasons, at least in terms of yards allowed, but that might be slightly beside the point.

What’s more intriguing (and certainly more controversial) is one particular coach who ranks ahead of Shanahan on this list.

Kyle Shanahan trails Cardinals’ Kliff Kingsbury in PFF coach rankings

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick comes in at No. 1. Few will argue that despite the quarterback Tom Brady era coming to a close over two seasons ago.

At Nos. 2 and 3, the Baltimore Ravens’ John Harbaugh and the Kansas City Chiefs’ Andy Reid are slated, respectively, and both have Super Bowl wins to their credit along with perennial playoff-contending teams during their tenures.

Hard to complain about those three.

The No. 4-ranked head coach, however, is a provocative choice.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury ranks at No. 4. Above Shanahan, above Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, and also above Super Bowl-champion head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams.

As far as PFF’s justification? Well:

"Offensive Rank: 3/26 (+81 points scored a season)Defensive Rank: 23/26 (+12 points allowed a season)Outside of quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, Kingsbury has not had much to work with in terms of offensive talent in the desert, yet he’s still managed to make the offense hum. Unfortunately, Kingsbury has left much to be desired on the defensive side of the ball thus far."

Read More: CBS Sports slights Kyle Shanahan, 49ers in offensive rankings

Kingsbury’s Cardinals finally made the playoffs last season but were a quick and embarrassing one-and-done in the Wild Card round and also flamed out down the stretch, both in 2020 and 2021.

And while it might be fair to place Shanahan where he’s at, Kingsbury at No. 4 is awfully humorous.

This might not serve PFF as an example of critical-thinking analysis, rather perhaps looking too hard at the data and not placing it up against rational observation.

But, hey, at least PFF got people talking even if Kingsbury’s placement there is something of a joke.