The debate surrounding whether Kyle Shanahan deserves the Coach of the Year award has sparked interest among analysts, particularly at NBC Sports. The San Francisco 49ers head coach guided a team that faced numerous injuries and challenges to a commendable 12-5 record, coming close to securing the NFC West title.
During a media session for Super Bowl week, analyst Chris Simms, who has known Shanahan for many years, shared his candid thoughts on the 49ers” performance. “I joked with his family, saying, “The 49ers aren”t even good. You guys aren”t even good,”” Simms remarked, recalling his conversations with Shanahan”s family. Despite his initial skepticism, Simms acknowledged the team”s resilience throughout a challenging season.
Injuries plagued the 49ers, affecting both star players and less prominent team members. The quarterback”s struggles with turf toe added to the list of setbacks, yet the team continued to perform well. Shanahan”s coaching prowess shone through, as his squad remained competitive until the very end of the season, ultimately making it to the playoffs.
Although the 49ers faced a disappointing exit in the divisional round against the Seahawks, the groundwork laid by Shanahan has not gone unnoticed. This week, the NFL will announce its Coach of the Year during the annual honors ceremony in San Francisco, a recognition that has eluded Shanahan throughout his coaching career, despite being one of the league”s longest-tenured head coaches.
Simms expressed his strong belief in Shanahan”s abilities, stating that if he were to start a franchise, Shanahan would be his top choice to lead it. However, he acknowledged the tough competition for the award this year, with other candidates like Mike Vrabel and Mike McDonald also making significant impacts in their respective organizations.
Former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett weighed in on Shanahan”s performance, praising his ability to keep the team competitive despite the significant injuries. He noted, “You could certainly make the argument” for Shanahan”s candidacy, highlighting the challenges faced on both sides of the ball.
Simms, who has maintained a close relationship with Shanahan since their college days at the University of Texas, emphasized the remarkable nature of the season. He stated, “What he did this year, come on, it”s crazy. He”s one of the two or three best head coaches in football.” Yet, he acknowledged the difficulty in selecting a Coach of the Year in such a competitive landscape.
As the NFL honors ceremony approaches, discussions about Shanahan”s deservingness may continue, but one thing remains clear: his ability to navigate adversity has left a lasting impression on the league.
