The San Francisco 49ers are one of the best teams in the NFL, and for good reason. With head coach Kyle Shanahan at the helm, they’ll always be one of the most well-coached teams in the league.
However, Shanahan didn’t become one of the league’s best overnight. Being born into an NFL family under his father was a big part of his development. Who are his parents?
Kyle Shanahan’s Father, Mike Shanahan
If there’s one guy who’s had the greatest impact on Shanahan’s career, it would be his dad, Mike.
Now 72 years old, Mike Shanahan is best known for his time as the head coach of the Denver Broncos from 1995 until 2008. During that time, he led the team to two consecutive Super Bowl victories. He finished his coaching career with a 178-144 record and is a part of the Broncos Ring of Fame.
Mike began his coaching career in 1975 as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma. He later became the offensive coordinator at Eastern Illinois in 1978, keeping that same position at Minnesota (1979), and Florida (1980-1983). He won a national championship in 1975 while with Oklahoma.
His NFL coaching career began in 1984 with the Broncos. He became the offensive coordinator in 1985, where he was until 1987. He left the Broncos for a short head coaching stint with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1988 before returning to the Broncos as quarterbacks coach in 1991. He became offensive coordinator once again in 1991.
Mike then had another short stint away from the Broncos, this time with the 49ers. He was offensive coordinator from 1992-1994. He then left to become the Broncos head coach, where his legacy was made.
Following his time with the Broncos, he joined Washington in the nation’s capital from 2010-2013 as the team’s head coach and executive vice president.
“I remember seeing my dad after those Super Bowls when he was a coordinator in Denver when I was younger and how hard it was on him,” said Kyle before the 49ers’ Super Bowl appearance in 2023.
“I took everything from my dad. … You guys see my son up here all the time, and that’s how I was,” said Kyle in 2022.
“I feel like my [coaching] style is more like my dad’s not because you’re naturally trying to, [but] because that’s just what I was around all the time and I respect the hell out of him.”
Kyle Shanahan’s Mother, Peggy
While Mike is his biggest football impact, Kyle’s mother Peggy is just as impactful. Mike and Peggy met in the 1970s while studying at Eastern Illinois. She shows up to every game she can, cheering him on and giving him support when she has the chance.
Ultimately, though, not much is known about Peggy nor is she spoken about much. As a result, there isn’t a ton of information to share.