In today’s NFL, longevity on the sidelines is becoming a rare commodity. With longtime fixtures like John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin parting ways with their teams this offseason, the coaching carousel has never spun faster. That makes Kyle Shanahan’s run with the San Francisco 49ers all the more remarkable - and, in some eyes, all the more valuable.
Since taking the reins in 2017, Shanahan has quietly become one of the longest-tenured head coaches in the league, trailing only Sean McVay and Andy Reid. And while he may not yet have the Super Bowl ring to match his coaching peers, his body of work in San Francisco puts him in elite company.
Let’s talk résumé. Two Super Bowl appearances.
Four trips to the NFC Championship Game since 2019. All while navigating rosters that have often been held together with duct tape and grit.
Injuries have been a recurring theme, but so has resilience - and that’s where Shanahan’s genius shines through. Whether it’s drawing up a game plan with a third-string quarterback or steering a retooled roster to double-digit wins, Shanahan has consistently kept the 49ers in the contender conversation.
And he’s earned more than just quiet respect. Former 49ers defensive back Logan Ryan, a two-time Super Bowl champ with the Patriots, didn’t mince words when asked about his experience playing under Shanahan.
“That is a 20-year, 25-year head coach,” Ryan said. “If he gets fired by the Niners in the next 20 years, they’re wrong.
He is a genius, he is brilliant. I loved his leadership.
I love his playcalling. I loved playing for Kyle Shanahan.
He blew me away.”
That’s not just lip service. Ryan had already gone on record earlier this year saying the 49ers should offer Shanahan a lifetime contract. That kind of endorsement doesn’t come lightly - especially from a player who’s seen what elite coaching looks like up close.
To appreciate where the Niners are now, you have to remember where they were before Shanahan arrived. After parting ways with Jim Harbaugh, the team cycled through two forgettable one-and-done seasons under Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly, combining for a dismal 7-25 record. The franchise was stuck in neutral.
Enter Shanahan, fresh off his run as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator. It didn’t take long for him to flip the script.
By Year 3, the 49ers were 13-3, the NFC’s No. 1 seed, and playing in the Super Bowl. Sure, that game ended in heartbreak - a blown lead against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs - but the turnaround was undeniable.
Since then, the 49ers have been a mainstay in the postseason, even as injuries and roster turnover have tested their depth. The 2024 season was particularly brutal, with a rash of injuries derailing what could’ve been another deep playoff run.
Yet instead of hitting the reset button, the team shed veteran contracts, retooled, and came back with a vengeance. Thirteen wins.
A playoff berth. Another year of proving the system - and the coach - works.
Of course, in this league, legacies are ultimately defined by rings. Shanahan knows that.
The critics know that. But what can’t be ignored is his ability to build a culture, develop talent, and out-scheme opponents week after week.
He’s not just a play-caller - he’s a CEO with a vision, and the results speak for themselves.
Heading into 2026, the 49ers are once again poised to make a run. The front office will look to add pieces, but the foundation is already in place. And as long as Kyle Shanahan is on the sideline, San Francisco has a shot - not just at relevance, but at greatness.
In a league that’s constantly chasing the next big thing, the 49ers already have theirs.