Atlanta Falcons

BREAKING: 49ers Officially Name Kyle Shanahan as Head Coach

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:18 p.m. ET

Fansided, Peter Panacy/FanSided via Niner Noise

The San Francisco 49ers have officially named former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan head coach, a day removed from Atlanta’s loss in Super Bowl LI.

The champagne probably hasn’t dried in one of the locker rooms at NRG Stadium in Houston, and yet the San Francisco 49ers waited less than 24 hours after Super Bowl LI to name Kyle Shanahan head coach.

That champagne smell wasn’t from Shanahan’s side either. Of course, anyone who watched the big game will quickly recall the Atlanta Falcons’ stunning and heartbreaking collapse to the New England Patriots, who came away with the 34-28 overtime victory.

Shanahan reportedly blamed himself for the loss.

Sure, some of his play-calling should be brought into question. Like a shotgun-formation pass on 3rd-and-short when New England was showing blitz. Or some of the passing plays late in the game while Atlanta still had a lead and was trying to milk the clock.

Perhaps this haunts Shanahan. Or maybe it motivates him. Nevertheless, Shanahan’s days with the Falcons are a memory now, and a new chapter begins.

“It is truly an honor to be named head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, one of the marquee franchises in all of sports,” said Shanahan, via the team’s website. “I must thank Jed and the York family for entrusting me with this great privilege and tremendous opportunity. I would also like to express my gratitude to Arthur Blank, Dan Quinn and the Atlanta Falcons organization for their support and the experience of a lifetime.

“As a young man, I had the unique benefit of being exposed to the storied history of the San Francisco 49ers firsthand. From that exposure, I developed great respect for those who created a world-class, championship standard.”

More from Niner Noise

Of course, Shanahan used to be a ball boy when his father, Mike, was the Niners’ offensive coordinator between 1992 and 1994.

Yet the Niners of those years, compared to now, were vastly different. The younger Shanahan inherits a team bereft of talent. Yes, John Lynch is now in place as general manager. But the new tandem certainly has a large degree of work ahead of them.

Now comes the important part — assembling a staff and preparing for free agency and the NFL Draft.

But at least San Francisco fans can cross this off the team’s to-do list.