49ers’ Kyle Shanahan on blocking out online noise: ‘Don’t make someone else’s reality your reality’

Kyle Shanahan takes a pragmatic approach to handling online criticism—he ignores it. The San Francisco 49ers head coach recently opened up about his mindset during a challenging season for his squad, which was once considered a Super Bowl favorite but is now 5-6 and fighting to keep its playoff hopes alive.

Speaking to the media this week, Shanahan addressed his perspective on online reactions and the vibe in the locker room as the team navigates a disappointing 2024 campaign.

"The vibe in our locker room is exactly how you would think it'd be," Shanahan said. "We're upset with where we're at in our record, but we've got a tight group, and we play together."

Shanahan emphasized the importance of maintaining unity within the team while shutting out external noise. He has repeatedly stressed the need to stay focused on their goals in an effort to turn the season around.

"I think if you live in the world online, whether you're dealing with our profession or your kids dealing with social issues in school, you're not going to be happy if you're dealing in the world online," Shanahan said. "And I've definitely coached long enough that I don't deal in that world."

While Shanahan avoids letting outside opinions influence his approach to leading the team, he doesn't completely distance himself from the digital world.

"Only online I look at is usually movie stuff and rap battles and funny things that animals do," Shanahan admitted. "Good or bad, when you listen to good stuff, like that'll mess you up more than anything. And then, when you listen to bad stuff, it'll crush you. That's not why any of us do this.

"You've got to work with younger guys on that. I think it's harder just because of the world that they've been brought up in. But don't make someone else's reality your reality. You've got to focus on what your job is and never get away from that."