Two clubs — the Rams and the Jaguars — have already fired their head coaches, and both teams are interested in Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). If Shanahan does land a head coaching job this offseason, Shanahan could aim to team with his father, former NFL head coach Mike Shanahan, placing the elder in a football operations role.
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Kyle Shanahan, 37, has experienced success at nearly every stop during his career, a path that has included time with the Texans, Redskins, Browns, and most recently, the Falcons. He’s already worked with his father in Washington, when the pair helped turn rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III into the Offensive Rookie of the Year and led the club into the playoffs. This year, his second in Atlanta, Kyle has guided quarterback Matt Ryan to the best season of his career, while the Falcons offense ranks first in the NFL in DVOA.
Shanahan has interviewed for a head coaching vacancy once before, as he met with the Bills in 2015 before Buffalo hired Rex Ryan. Additionally, the Shanahans have been viewed as a package deal in the past, as several clubs were considering the pair during the 2015 offseason. In that scenario, Mike Shanahan would have become a club’s head coach, while Kyle would have taken on offensive play-calling duties.
Mike Shanahan, meanwhile, has been linked to the 49ers in recent weeks, although subsequent reports have downplayed any chance of Shanahan landing in the Bay Area. Shanahan, 64, interviewed for the 49ers’ head coaching vacancy in each of the past two seasons, and was thought to have finished second to Chip Kelly for the job earlier this year. Shanahan has never worked in a front office capacity, but he has exerted personnel control over his rosters as a head coach in his previous stops.
As a Jags fan, I wouldn’t be opposed to Kyle Shanahan, although he wouldn’t be my first choice. If he comes with the stipulation that his father is also hired, I’ll gladly pass.
Try putting a recent picture. Disingenuous to use a picture with his father over 3 years ago… I’m surprised the writer didn’t describe him as a “solid coach choice.”
Maybe they would gLadly supply one of Kyle sitting on his dads lap. You know for the whole holiday season.
You like cheese pizza or pasta?