The San Francisco 49ers boast one of the NFL‘s best and most influential offenses. Blending high-end talent with an intricate, quarterback-friendly scheme, the Niners offense is the envy of many NFL franchises.
But who runs San Francisco’s offense? Let’s take a look at the 49ers’ offensive coordinator situation.
Who Is the Offensive Coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers?
The 49ers don’t currently have an official offensive coordinator. Head coach Kyle Shanahan handles play-calling duties and, for all intents and purposes, is the offensive coordinator.
However, Chris Foerster holds the title of run game coordinator/offensive line coach, a role that essentially makes him the assistant offensive coordinator. If you look at the 49ers’ official website, Foerster’s position on the coaching staff page indicates he has coordinator-like responsibilities.
Shanahan is considered one of the best coaches and offensive minds in football. Many teams have attempted to replicate the “Shanahan scheme” to varying degrees of success. The annual dominance of Shanahan’s offense has led to many 49ers assistants leaving for better jobs, including head coaching gigs in recent years.
MORE: Current Head Coaches | Longest Tenured Coaches
Shanahan began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at UCLA in 2003. The next six years saw him hold various offensive coaching positions with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans.
Shanahan then worked as offensive coordinator for Washington from 2010 through 2013. He held the same job with the Cleveland Browns the following season before working as OC of the Atlanta Falcons in 2015 and 2016.
How Long Has Kyle Shanahan Been the 49ers’ Offensive Play-Caller?
Shanahan was hired as the 49ers’ head coach in 2017 and has held the title ever since. He has also called the offensive plays in each season of his tenure. Although other 49ers staffers likely offer input, Shanahan has the final say on calling the plays.
Who Was the 49ers’ Last Official Offensive Coordinator?
Mike McDaniel is the last person to hold the title of offensive coordinator in San Francisco, having done so in 2021. The 49ers didn’t have an OC from 2017 through 2020 and haven’t given anyone the title since McDaniel became the head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2022.
Here’s a full history of 49ers offensive coordinators:
- 1970: Ed Hughes
- 1971-75: Dick Stanfel
- 1978: Fred O’Connor
- 1989-91: Mike Holmgren
- 1992-94: Mike Shanahan
- 1995-96: Marc Trestman
- 1997-2000: Marty Mornhinweg
- 2001-2003: Greg Knapp
- 2004: Ted Tollner
- 2005: Mike McCarthy
- 2006: Norv Turner
- 2007: Jim Hostler
- 2008: Mike Martz
- 2009-10: Jimmy Raye
- 2011-14: Greg Roman
- 2015: Geep Chryst
- 2016: Curtis Modkins
- 2021: Mike McDaniel