John Harbaugh looks like the favorite for NFL Coach of the Year. His Baltimore Ravens have absolutely steamrolled opponents on their way to the NFL's best record.
The Ravens beat Kyle Shanahan and the NFC's best team (record-wise, at least), the San Francisco 49ers, in Week 13. Harbaugh being the front-runner for Coach of the Year seems to make sense, right?
Hold on, says Brent Jones.
The former 49ers tight end doesn't see Harbaugh as the most-deserving coach to win the annual award. Jones believes that honor should actually go to Shanahan, and he explained why on Monday during a KNBR interview.
"I know that John's a heck of a guy, and he's a heck of a coach," Jones told Guy Haberman and John Middlekauff. "And any other year, yeah, I'd give it to him, but I'm calling B.S. on that whole Coach of the Year thing because after last year's 49ers season, if Kyle Shanahan's not Coach of the Year, there are people that don't know football, that aren't paying attention, and that don't understand the game.
"I love Lamar Jackson. He's done a great job, and he's going to get his just desserts. He's going to obviously be the MVP, but that doesn't make the coach the Coach of the Year. I don't think he coached any of Lamar's skills.
"On the other hand, I think Kyle's done a remarkable job with fit, finish, substitutions, putting guys in positions to win. Many, many young players, rookies, making an impact throughout the season, and for me, that's all coaching."
Jones explained that he is shocked Shanahan isn't the front-runner for NFL Coach of the Year, given everything he has accomplished this season. The former tight end, who still follows the 49ers religiously, admits to being biased, but he remains incredibly impressed with what Shanahan does as a coach.
"I think when Kyle starts to feel his oats, as a coach, he just starts dialing up plays," Jones continued. "We saw Deebo Samuel score on a run [on Sunday]. We've got guys doing different routes.
"We've got lots of different, unique nuances to play-calling that I think Kyle has a great command of. And so, he understands putting his players in position to be successful, and Jimmy Garoppolo to go ahead and deliver the ball offensively."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Jones below.