Kyle Shanahan was named the 20th head coach of the San Francisco 49ers on February 6, 2017. Shanahan signed a multi-year contract extension with the 49ers on June 15, 2020.
In 2021, Shanahan led the 49ers to their second trip to the NFC Championship in three seasons (2019). The offense featured WR Deebo Samuel, who earned Associated Press First-Team All-Pro honors and the first Pro Bowl selection of his career. In 16 games (15 starts), Samuel registered 77 receptions for 1,405 receiving yards (18.2 average) and five receiving touchdowns to go along with career-highs in carries (59), rushing yards (365) and rushing touchdowns (eight). His eight rushing touchdowns were the most by any player whose primary position is wide receiver since the merger. Second-year WR Brandon Aiyuk also added 56 catches for 826 yards and five touchdowns. On the ground, rookie RB Elijah Mitchell set the franchise record for most rushing yards by a rookie (963).
Chris Foerster is in his first season as the team’s run game coordinator/offensive line coach after spending the 2021 season as San Francisco’s offensive line coach. He also worked as the team’s offensive line coach from 2008-09 and 2015. Foerster spent the 2020 season as the 49ers assistant offensive line coach after serving as a consultant with the 49ers for two seasons (2018-19).
The 2021 49ers offensive line saw three of five members earn Pro Bowl honors in T Trent Williams, G Laken Tomlinson and C Alex Mack. Williams was selected to the Associated Press 2021 First-Team All-Pro list for the first time in his career. San Francisco’s offense finished the season averaging 127.4 rushing yards, ranking seventh in the NFL.
DeMeco Ryans is in his sixth season with the 49ers and second as the team’s defensive coordinator. He spent the previous three seasons (2018-20) as the 49ers inside linebackers coach. Ryans also served as the team’s defensive quality control coach in 2017.
In his first season as defensive coordinator, Ryans and the 49ers defense ranked third in the NFL in 2021, allowing 310.0 total yards per game. San Francisco also was sixth in the NFL, surrendering 206.5 passing yards per game. San Francisco saw eight different players record an interception on the season, as CB Emmanuel Moseley finished with a career-high 11 passes defensed and one interception. The Niners forced 22 fumbles on defense in 2021, the most in the NFL and the most in a single season by the 49ers since 1994. DL Nick Bosa finished the season leading the team with a career-high 15.5 sacks. His sack total ranked fourth in the NFL among all players as he was selected to the Pro Bowl. DL Arden Key also registered a career-high 6.5 sacks on the year.
Brian Schneider is in his first season as the 49ers special teams coordinator. He joined the 49ers after more than 12 years of experience as a special teams coordinator in the NFL.
From 2010-20, Schneider worked as the special teams coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks. Over that span, Seattle’s special teams units ranked first in the NFL in takeaways (26), second in blocked kicks (24) and fifth in touchdowns scored (14).
Bobby Slowik is in his 10th year in the NFL and first as the team’s offensive passing game coordinator. He spent the 2021 season as San Francisco’s offensive passing game specialist after working the previous two seasons (2019-20) as a 49ers offensive assistant and as the team’s defensive quality control coach for two years (2017-18). Slowik has also worked in the NFL with Washington as a defensive assistant (2011-13) and video assistant (2010).
The 2021 San Francisco passing attack saw WR Deebo Samuel earn Associated Press First-Team All-Pro honors and the first Pro Bowl selection of his career. In 16 games (15 starts), Samuel registered 77 receptions for 1,405 receiving yards (18.2 average) and five receiving touchdowns. Second-year WR Brandon Aiyuk also added 56 catches for 826 yards and five touchdowns. TE George Kittle ranked second on the team with71 receptions for 910 yards and six touchdowns while earning a trip to the Pro Bowl.