The San Francisco 49ers are the talk of the town leading up to the Super Bowl on Sunday, where they will face the dynasty-driven Kansas City Chiefs. Reports and updates surrounding the NFC West club continue circulating leading up to the big game, including ESPN’s Seth Wickersham writing a deep-dive on head coach Kyle Shanahan. The longtime NFL bench boss will look for his first Super Bowl ring in three tries. Wickersham gives insight into Shanahan’s dealings during his tenure with the 49ers, including how he has become the poster boy for promoting diversity among coaches. Wickersham says that NFL owners have “complained” about the compensatory picks San Francisco has received over the years for developing minority coaches.
My latest: On Kyle Shanahan’s brilliance and scars, with insight into the parties he throws for players, miserable weeks for his assistants, and John Lynch’s favorite meeting, with cameos from Steve Young and Joe Montana. https://t.co/e6HKGR7Bbp
— Seth Wickersham (@SethWickersham) February 7, 2024
Kyle Shanahan: Pioneer of Developing Minority Coaches
Wickersham shared a lengthy Kyle Shanahan-driven story exclusively on ESPN+ on Wednesday. The article reveals a shocking revelation about Shanahan’s current organization, the San Francisco 49ers.
“We know he can draw up a jazzy offense, regardless of personnel. We know he can hire well and diverse; owners have complained to the league office about the number of compensatory picks the 49ers have receivers for serving as a pipeline for coaches and executives of color,” says Wickersham in his Shanahan piece.
In 2020, the fourth year into Shanahan’s tenure with the 49ers, the NFL passed Resolution JC-2A, rewarding teams with a third-round selection for developing minority candidates into head coaches or general managers. During the first year of the new rule, San Francisco earned third-round selections in 2021, 2022, and 2023 for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, becoming the head coach for the New York Jets and vice president of player personnel Martin Mayhew, becoming the general manager in Washington.
San Francisco again earned another 2022 and 2023 third-round selection, with the Miami Dolphins poaching offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to become their next bench boss. This last season, San Francisco earned a 2023 and 2024 third-round pick for director of player personnel Ron Cathon, taking the general manager job in Tennessee.
The 49ers have and will continue to load up on talent using compensatory picks. In 2021, San Francisco selected cornerback Ambry Thomas. In 2022, they took wide receiver Danny Gray; in 2023, they took kicker Jake Moody and tight end Cameron Latu. Moody has been the bright spot of the comp picks, making the PFWA All-Rookie team this season while going 21-of-26 in field goals.
San Francisco 49ers: Playing Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII
The San Francisco 49ers will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday during Super Bowl LVIII. The Chiefs are looking for their second Super Bowl win in as many years, while the 49ers will try to hoist their first Lombardi Trophy since 1994. Former seventh-round pick turned star Brock Purdy leads the way for San Francisco. The Iowa State product threw for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns against seven picks while leading the NFL in rating.
For More Football News:
Follow me on Twitter at @alec_musa. You can also reach out to me via email at musaalec@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest college and NFL news, click here!
