The apple does not fall far from the tree.
Kyle Shanahan has established himself as one of the best coaches in the NFL during his career as a head coach. While his 49ers are still chasing that elusive championship ring, success has come in droves thanks to his offense. Oh, and the defense is pretty good too.
That’s why Shanahan’s coordinators have been among the hot candidates in recent NFL hiring cycles. As we know, the NFL is a copycat league, so everyone will want a piece of Shanahan’s success.
Like his father Mike, the younger Shanahan has already helped develop head and assistant coaches in the NFL, and there are more in the works, continuing the Shanahan dynasty throughout the NFL.
Here’s how the youngest Shanahan’s tree is starting to bloom:
Kyle Shanahan Training Tree
Robert Saleh
- Equipment: New York Jets
- Years: 2021-present
Saleh earned a reputation as a fiery and passionate coach on the bench, but also as an intelligent and well-spoken footballer in press conferences. That hasn’t translated into much success yet: the Jets have failed to make the playoffs in each of Saleh’s first three seasons with the franchise. That came despite a 6-3 start in 2022 and the trade of Aaron Rodgers during the 2023 offseason.
Rodgers’ torn Achilles tendon derailed the Jets’ season in 2023, so Saleh survived one more season. He enters 2024 on the bench and will need to see how things shake out on the offensive ball after spending the last two seasons turning New York’s defense into one of the best in the league.
Mike McDaniel
- Equipment: Miami Dolphins
- Years: 2022-present
With the departure of Mike LaFleur to the Jets, McDaniel was the only OC in San Francisco in 2021. He made the most of it, getting a career year from Deebo Samuel, making Elijah Mitchell a household name and helping guide the Jets . Niners to an appearance in the NFC Championship Game.
Led by the third-year developmental leap of Tua Tagovailoa, McDaniel’s high-powered offense in Miami resulted in a playoff appearance in his first year at the helm. He continued that trend in 2023, making Tagovailoa the NFL’s leading passer (4,624 yards), while Tyreek Hill was one of the NFL’s best offensive players.
McDaniel may not have won the playoffs in two seasons yet, but he has taken the Dolphins there both years. He also led them to a 70-point game against the Broncos, so it’s clear that he is one of the best offensive minds in the NFL.
By Meco Ryans
- Equipment: Houston Texans
- Years: 2023-present
Ryans, a former linebacker, took over an already elite defensive unit led by Robert Saleh and turned it into a world-class unit. He parlayed that success into a head coaching job with the Texans and enjoyed an excellent first season.
Despite low expectations, Ryans led the Texans to a 10-7 record and an AFC South title behind rookie quarterback CJ Stroud. The Texans won a playoff game under Stroud’s leadership and also got a stellar season from rookie running back Will Anderson.
Ryans believes he has coached both Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year and has Houston well ahead of schedule in their rebuild. He may not yet have surpassed McDaniel in the power rankings among Shanahan’s disciples, but with another solid season in 2024, he could establish himself as one of the best young coaches in the NFL.
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Future Kyle Shanahan training tree branches
Mike La Fleur
- Equipment: Los Angeles Rams
- Years: 2023-present
LaFleur worked closely with Mike McDaniel to build the 49ers’ offense toward a Super Bowl appearance in 2019. He eventually left the 49ers to work on Saleh’s staff with the Jets, but was “allowed to pursue other opportunities” afterward. of a poor offensive performance in 2022.
LaFleur landed on his feet as the Rams’ offensive coordinator, a role his brother, Packers coach Matt LaFleur, filled before going to the Titans for one year and landing the job in Green Bay. With a solid second year with the Rams, there should be renewed interest surrounding LaFleur as a potential coaching candidate.
Bobby Slowik
- Equipment: Houston Texans
- Years: 2023-present
Slowik spent six seasons on Shanahan’s staff with the 49ers, serving from defensive quality control coach to the team’s passing game coordinator before following Ryans to Houston as its offensive coordinator.
Slowik’s first season in that role saw him lead Stroud to a breakout season during which Stroud broke rookie records for passing yards and passing touchdowns in a single game while recording 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions in 15 starts. Slowik attracted interest from NFL teams to work as a head coach, but ultimately decided to stay with the Texans, while he received a sizable raise for staying.
At just 36 years old, Slowik’s star is on the rise. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him be the next fruitful branch of Shanahan’s coaching tree.
Jugo Mobile’ Jacob Camenker also contributed to this report.
