Jed York refrained from discussing Kyle Shanahan directly due to his obligations as the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator, as Shanahan still had to coach in the upcoming Super Bowl before being officially named the next coach of the 49ers. However, York shared his thoughts on the direction of the franchise while on the red carpet at the NFL Honors ceremony in Houston, as reported by ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
York expressed his dislike for the term “rebuilding,” as it implies an excuse for shortcomings. Instead, the focus is on re-establishing the team’s culture and striving for championship-level success. He emphasized the importance of finding a head coach who embodies the 49ers’ legacy and possesses profound football knowledge, implying Shanahan’s imminent arrival. The goal is to cultivate a sustained period of success over the long term, regardless of short-term fluctuations in win-loss records.
York’s decision to hire John Lynch as general manager came as a surprise, given Lynch’s lack of prior experience in NFL front offices after an extensive career in broadcasting with FOX. Lynch’s candidacy was kept under wraps until his official appointment, despite the team’s public announcements of interviews for both coaching and general manager positions.
Lynch revealed that he intentionally maintained secrecy throughout the process to test the 49ers’ front office. After expressing interest in the position following the Falcons’ divisional round victory, Lynch was recommended by Shanahan himself, leading to his covert interview with the 49ers brass the following weekend.
Shanahan’s impressive track record as an offensive coordinator, particularly during Atlanta’s record-breaking 2016 season, solidifies expectations for his imminent appointment as the 49ers’ head coach after the Super Bowl. He has consistently crafted high-performing offenses throughout his career, making him a highly anticipated addition to the franchise.
