Will 49ers fire Kyle Shanahan? Why San Francisco coach isn’t on hot seat despite disappointing season

The 49ers are at serious risk of missing the playoffs just a year after coming within a defensive stop of a championship. Does that put Kyle Shanahan’s future in San Francisco at risk?

Shanahan has been a revelation in eight seasons as 49ers head coach, guiding the franchise out of the depths and reaching the Super Bowl twice. The Lombardi Trophy still eludes him, but the overall results are hard to complain about.

With a championship-or-bust mentality, though, all bets are off. The 49ers have fallen well short of expectations in 2024, and a disappointing finish would naturally raise questions about major changes.

Here’s what you need to know about Shanahan’s status and why a change is highly unlikely.

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Will the 49ers fire Kyle Shanahan?

There is no indication the 49ers would consider firing Shanahan, who would have suitors lined up the second he became available.

San Francisco didn’t expect to be sitting at 5-6 through 11 weeks, but the season has played out much like it did in 2020 when the 49ers were coming off a Super Bowl appearance. Injuries, including lengthy absences by Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Bosa and George Kittle, turned 2020 into a lost season for the ‘Niners, but they stayed the course and returned to the NFC championship game a year later. In fact, San Francisco hasn’t missed the game since that point.

While an NFC West title is still very much on the table because there is no dominant team so far, 2024 can probably be chalked up to a fluke year for the 49ers with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk out for the season and numerous other injuries impacting the team, from quarterback Brock Purdy’s recent shoulder issue to running back Christian McCaffrey’s calf troubles.

That doesn’t mean Shanahan is without any fault. The 49ers blew late leads against each of their NFC West opponents, and that could be the difference between the playoffs and letdown in the end. Based on the way Shanahan has been able to harness all of the team’s offensive talent in recent years, though, it would be stunning for the 49ers to give up on the coach they believe can lead them to a championship. 

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How long has Kyle Shanahan coached the 49ers?

Shanahan is in his eighth season as head coach of the 49ers. He was hired by San Francisco in February 2017, shortly after his stint as Falcons offensive coordinator ended in a humiliating Super Bowl blown lead against the Patriots.

While he didn’t notch a winning season until year three, Shanahan is widely regarded as one of the top offensive minds in the NFL. With four NFC title game appearances and two trips to the Super Bowl, Shanahan has likely earned himself some time in San Francisco even if 2024 doesn’t end the way the organization hoped.

Kyle Shanahan coaching record