San Francisco 49ers

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has a weird pregame routine that begins with a text to his wife

Published Mar. 5, 2017 12:07 a.m. ET

Andre Vergara

San Francisco 49ers fans are starting to find out what they've got in Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch.

Both are unproven in their new roles as head coach and GM, respectively, but Shanahan established himself as an offensive whiz kid while helping the Atlanta Falcons reach the Super Bowl last season. Now, while Lynch makes moves, we're learning more about Shanahan the man, thanks to an in-depth feature on him by the San Francisco Chronicle.

There are great quotes from him and his wife about the depth of his despair after Atlanta's collapse against New England, his reputation for being arrogant and what really drives the the 37-year-old first-time head coach. Among the details we get are a look at his, uh, pretty weird pregame routine:

The process starts with a self-deprecating text to his wife. A typical message: “Things are about to get weird.”

First, Shanahan must find a solitary place to examine his game plan, which can be challenging on the road. Shanahan has studied X’s-and-O’s in janitors’ closets and shower stalls, while using a bench, box or Gatorade cooler as a desk. During his quiet time, he must have four red pens and just-the-right temperature coffee. Then, before he goes onto the field, he holds a good-luck charm his son, Carter, gives him during the week and looks at a picture of his three children. His grand finale? The yoga advocate stands on his head for 45 seconds in the locker room to clear his mind and reduce stress.

No wonder Mandy brightened during a recent tour of Levi’s Stadium when she saw there was an office for the head coach.

“I was thinking, ‘This is perfect,’” Mandy said. “No more janitor’s closets. He really needs his space. And no one will have to see him stand on his head.”

If Shanahan can get all the players to stand on their heads before kickoff, he gets our early vote for Coach of the Year.