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Kyle Shanahan is the favorite to be named head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Multiple outlets reported Monday that the 49ers are zeroing in on Shanahan, offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons and one of three known candidates to interview with owner Jed York for the job, which is open for the fourth time in four years.
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Shanahan, 37, was an NFL offensive coordinator in 2010 with the Washington Redskins and held the same title in one season with the Cleveland Browns (2014) before joining the Falcons, who averaged 33.8 points per game in 2016.
Does Shanahan think he's ready to be a head coach?
"I definitely do," Shanahan said. "I think I have been. I think a lot of guys are. It's about getting that opportunity and hope it's the right fit."
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels withdrew from consideration on Monday according to multiple reports.
The other known candidate is Seattle Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable, who has experience as a head coach with the Oakland Raiders. Anthony Lynn, former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator and interim head coach, interviewed with the 49ers on Jan. 4 before being hired as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Falcons (12-5) are one of four teams still alive in the NFL playoffs, hosting the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game.
Shanahan said being a head coach is the goal of "most people in our profession," but whether the 49ers are the ideal match is worth a long look. Shanahan coaches MVP frontrunner Matt Ryan at quarterback these days, whereas the 49ers are one of many unsettled teams at the position and could be facing a rebuild with a top five pick that could be used to draft a new quarterback.
"I love the situation here," Shanahan said of his fallback plans should he not become a head coach this offseason.
There's also the matter of the vacant GM spot, and York's self-mandate to find a better "marriage" between his top front-office executive and coach.
York fired coach Chip Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke at the end of the regular season. Failed coaching hires have been a constant since Jim Harbaugh left for Michigan.
Kelly was hired last year over the other finalist for the job, Mike Shanahan, who is Kyle's father. Mike Shanahan was initially thought to be a candidate for the current opening, but York said he was not interviewed.
Shanahan could be a familiar name and fresh face all wrapped up in one.
Mike Shanahan followed Bill Walsh and Mike Holmgren as the architect of the 49ers' offense, then brought the championship twice to Denver, but has been out of the league for three years. He's 64 years old and has coached just one playoff victory in the past 18 years.
