Where should Kyle Shanahan be ranked among the current crop of NFL head coaches?
There's plenty of room for debate when it comes to that question, but one answer from Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports has the 49ers head coach at number 11 heading into the 2021 season.
Benjamin's list of the top coaches in the NFL was posted Monday and was compiled based on both past performance and future outlook, with an emphasis on which coaches would be the best choice to run a team in 2021. Shanahan was the lone coach ranked in the top 15 with an overall losing record (29-35).
"You might be shocked to see that record, but here's how his 49ers tenure has gone thus far: 6-10, 4-12, 13-3, 6-10," wrote Benjamin. "Contrary to popular belief, he's not invincible, and his scheme can't cover every hole. But the 13-3 finish doesn't feel like an anomaly because his offense, when thriving, is one of the cleanest in the game. Gambling on a promising long-term QB in Trey Lance is a 2021 bonus."
Coaches with a winning record who rank behind Shanahan include Frank Reich of the Colts (28-20), Kevin Stefanski of the Browns (11-5), Mike Vrabel of the Titans (29-19), Mike Zimmer of the Vikings (67-47-1), Ron Rivera of Washington (83-72-1), Matt Nagy of the Bears (28-20), Jon Gruden of the Raiders (114-110), and Mike McCarthy of the Cowboys (131-87-2). Rivera, Gruden and McCarthy are the only other coaches besides Shanahan to have a head coaching appearance in a Super Bowl.
Click here to see the entire list, which is topped by Andy Reid (Chiefs), Bill Belichick (Patriots), John Harbaugh (Ravens), and Sean Payton (Saints). Should Shanahan be lower on the list despite the injury-plagued seasons he's had to battle through? Should he be higher? Or is 11 about right? It's an interesting question to consider at this point in his career.
