Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan hired as 49ers head coach

Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has been hired as the 49ers head coach.

Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has been hired as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, the team announced on Monday.

According to ESPN, Shanahan is expected to accept a six-year deal. The six-year deal would be the same length as new general manager John Lynch, who was hired by the franchise last week.

Shanahan, 37, has been the Falcons playcaller for the past two seasons. Atlanta led the NFL in scoring this season, averaging 33.8 points per game. Shanahan has also been on the offensive staffs of the Redskins, Browns and Texans.

• Get SI's New England Patriots Super Bowl LI championship package

The Falcons went 11-5 in the regular season and coasted through two playoff victories and earned their second Super Bowl berth.

Atlanta led the New England Patriots 28–3 in Super Bowl LI before surrendering the game's final 31 points to lose 34–28 in overtime.

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