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Mike Shanahan could become 49ers’ offensive coordinator

By Evan Massey

Dec 29, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan walks off the field after a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. The Giants defeated the Redskins 20-6. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan walks off the field after a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. The Giants defeated the Redskins 20-6. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike Shanahan could end up becoming the San Francisco 49ers next offensive coordinator.

The San Francisco 49ers’ coaching search ended when they decided to promote defensive line coach Jim Tomsula to head coach after parting ways with Jim Harbaugh immediately following the regular season.

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Tomsula is now looking to hire his coaching staff, and it appears that former Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan could be on his list as potential offensive coordinator candidates. It would be a very intriguing move to say the least, and it might be the type of fit that the 49ers need to help Tomsula in his first season.

Shanahan would offer offensive expertise in both the passing and running game, while also being a mentor for Tomsula. He has a very impressive head coaching resume, and would be a very nice pickup to help work with Colin Kaepernick and the talented offense that the 49ers have put together.

There are past connections between the 49ers’ offensive coordinating job and Shanahan, as he held that same post from 1992 to 1994. It would be a very interesting reunion, but would be a very good pickup as far as having a veteran presence on the coaching staff. San Francisco was rumored to be interested in hiring him as their head coach before choosing to promote Tomsula.

Throughout his career as an NFL head coach, Shanahan compiled a 170-138 record. His experience could prove to be very valuable, and he might very well be the veteran mentor that Tomsula needs in order to become a successful NFL head coach himself.

San Francisco has all of the talent in the world on the offensive side of the football, but Harbaugh simply wasn’t able to take them to the next level. Perhaps the knowledge that Shanahan brings to the sidelines could be enough to unlock the full potential that Kaepernick has, and also bring Carlos Hyde and potentially Frank Gore success in the backfield as well.

Consistency was the biggest issue for San Francisco this past season, and that is one area that Shanahan made very reliable during his time in Denver. There is no guarantee that he would be the fix that the 49ers need, but he would have a very good chance of making that type of difference for them.

[H/T RealGM]

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