The San Francisco 49ers' special teams unit has struggled for much of the season. During Monday's conference call, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if these struggles might prompt a coaching change on special teams.
Although the question hinted at special teams coordinator Brian Schneider's job security, Shanahan wasn't directly asked about it. However, he picked up on the implication and clearly stated that no coaching changes are planned for the bye week.
"No concerns with Brian Schneider, if that's what you mean by that," Shanahan said. "I think that's what you're implying, and that hasn't entered my head at all."
Shanahan added that he was proud of the special teams' performance in Sunday night's 30-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
"I thought we were up against a huge challenge," Shanahan added. "I thought our guys played real hard and did a real good job controlling [Cowboys returner KaVontae] Turpin, who is one of the bigger game-changers in this game.
"I think we've dealt with a lot of stuff on special teams, a lot of changing of people, a lot of young guys starting out to play, who we've lost, and having to replace them with new guys, and working with a lot of different people. I expect us to get better with that throughout the year.
"I know it hasn't been good enough in this first half—not at all. But I thought last night was a step in the right direction, and you're going to get better or worse from that, and I expect us to get better."
Schneider is in his third season with the 49ers, joining Shanahan's staff after NFL stops with the then-Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, and Jacksonville Jaguars. He was part of Seattle's 2013 championship team.
