49ers' HC Kyle Shanahan Is An Early Candidate For Coach of the Year

After improving to 5-0 in a difficult situation for the San Francisco 49ers, head coach Kyle Shanahan deserves to be an early candidate for coach of the year.

Most head coaches in the NFL would have folded or came up significantly short given the circumstances that the San Francisco 49ers were in. To be without so many key players and having to prepare on a short week against a good team seemed like a bleak scenario. Well for head coach Kyle Shanahan, he turned a bleak scenario into a regular day at the office.

Defeating the Los Angeles Rams, who had five more days of preparation than the 49ers, just gives credence that Shanahan is one of the best coaches in the league. In fact, with the way the 49ers have started off, Kyle Shanahan is an early candidate for coach of the year.

Anytime a team starts out 5-0, it is only normal to start giving the head coach consideration for the award. However, it isn't just the wins alone as to why Shanahan is an early candidate. It is the way he has team playing and the way he has won games through detailed scheming. With Shanahan, he can make almost any player look good. The fact that both backup offensive tackles have looked capable is an indicator of such.

Justin Skule is filling in for Joe Staley and he is playing solid. Daniel Brunskill filled in for Mike McGlinchey and was the 49ers highest-graded offensive lineman vs. Rams, per Pro Football Focus. Brunskill allowed only one QB hurry and was the best run blocker to put things in perspective. Now it may be that these two backup tackles are better than we thought, but to say it isn't Kyle Shanahan's system that is enhancing these guys ridiculous.

Take the running game for example. Both Matt Breida and Tevin Coleman always have positive yardage no matter the situation. Even Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. looked great in the offense. The 49ers are yet to have a wide receiver standout, yet are still having massive success offensively by getting everyone involved.

Shanahan’s big adjustment: Jimmy Garoppolo averaged only 4.2 air yards per attempt vs. Rams, second lowest in the NFL and lowest of the season. Quick passes were a direct response to Aaron Donald vs. 2 backup offensive tackles, and the 49ers methodically controlled the football.

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) October 14, 2019

That is exactly what he did in week six against the Rams in order to get over the hump of injuries his offense has suffered. It cannot be overstated how impressive of a win it was for Shanahan and the 49ers to have over the Rams. Sean McVay is revered as a phenomenal coach, so the fact that he had so many extra days to prepare and rest for a hobbling 49ers team should have equated to a win for the Rams.

Yet the calmness and composure of Kyle Shanahan did not waver despite the uphill climb he had going into week six. This is a game that the Rams should have won, but the 49ers proved yet again that they are the real deal. The 49ers do not win this if not for Kyle Shanahan. While the 49ers' pass rush may garner all the credit, it is Shanahan who has pulled the strings that has steered this team to their most successful start in decades.

Just remember back to last season when everyone was calling for the head of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. I imagine most coaches would have listened to calls and gone through with it. Not Kyle Shanahan because he knows what kind of coach Saleh is. He recognized that he just needed some toys to play with on defense to put him in the position of success, which is what he does with his offense. It's why so many players look good in every game despite not being a great talent.

Another reason I respect Kyle Shanahan: After the defense’s great showing today, he let coordinator Robert Saleh address the media at the podium. Can’t remember the last time in the regular season I’ve seen a head coach OK a coordinator for a postgame podium presser.

— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) October 14, 2019

That is why the defensive success of the 49ers is partly because of Shanahan. He is the one that calls the shots with coaching staff and he chose to retain Saleh. A choice that has had a massive impact throughout the team. This is a move that should garner much attention and credit towards his claim for coach of the year.

San Francisco is the last undefeated team left next to the New England Patriots, which is pretty good company to be in. They have a pretty good chance at keeping their winning streak alive over the next few weeks because of their opponents. The 49ers have matchups with the Redskins, Panthers and Cardinals. Three teams that are very winnable for the 49ers.

Kyle Shanahan will ensure that his team reels in victories because the race for the division is very contested. The Seattle Seahawks are 5-1 and show no signs of slowing down. Russell Wilson has been performing at an MVP level, which will make for an exciting matchup when these two teams square off on Monday Night Football on November 11th.

Of course anything can happen that can derail the 49ers and Kyle Shanahan's candidacy for coach of the year. However, I do not see any way this team takes a nose dive. Shanahan is too great of a coach to let that happen and that is just another reason why that he is an early candidate for coach of the year.