San Francisco 49ers fans have been vocal about their frustration following a disappointing 2024 season. After entering the year with high championship hopes, fresh off a Super Bowl appearance, the team managed just six wins, losing seven of their final eight games and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
While injuries significantly derailed the season, some blame has fallen on head coach Kyle Shanahan. A vocal group of fans has criticized not just the results of this season but also the team's recurring inability to finish strong in key moments over recent years.
In eight seasons with the 49ers, Shanahan has led the team to four NFC Championship Games and two Super Bowl appearances. However, each of those promising campaigns ended in disappointment, fueling debates about Shanahan's ability—or inability—to close out big games.
According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Shanahan would already be a lock for the Hall of Fame had he won either of his Super Bowl appearances. Instead, the criticism has intensified.
"Within the coaches in the league, no one thinks any less of Kyle Shanahan," an unnamed former Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots assistant told Howe. "It's ludicrous to think they should get rid of him. Reid had these same criticisms early in his career, and now he's clearly in the conversation for best coach ever. Kyle Shanahan's criticisms are that he's lost a couple of Super Bowls? OK, do you know how hard it is to get to the Super Bowl?"
The coach referred to Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, whose early career was marred by similar criticisms. Reid spent 14 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles without winning a championship. It wasn't until he joined the Chiefs that his fortunes changed, earning him three Super Bowl titles—two of which came at Shanahan's expense. Now, most consider Reid among the greatest coaches in NFL history.
Should the 49ers ever part ways with Shanahan, there's no doubt he would quickly find another opportunity.
"If you throw rocks at Kyle Shanahan and want him fired, he's going to have a job in 30 seconds," the former Patriots assistant added.
The coach concluded with a bold prediction about Shanahan's future, saying, "Reid, it was that he couldn't win the big one, and now he's on the verge of winning three in a row. Kyle is going to be coaching for a long time. He's going to have another chapter in his career where he's going for three (Super Bowls) in a row."