Coaches reward Shanahan for faith
During his introductory news conference Feb. 9, Kyle Shanahan, then four days removed from coaching in a Super Bowl, said he was already playing from behind.
Because he’d been serving as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator during their postseason run, he wasn’t close to finalizing his coaching staff. And he acknowledged the situation wasn’t ideal.
“That’s the first thing that I’m trying to do is finish the staff,” Shanahan said. “Definitely as behind on that as you can be and that’s just the way it is. I wish I could have started earlier.”
After Shanahan hired his staff, plenty of fans wished he could have started earlier, too.
Shanahan, who serves as the offensive coordinator, filled his other two coordinator spots with Robert Saleh (defense) and Richard Hightower (special teams), who shared certain traits: They were young, fairly anonymous coaches who had not been coordinators and their
hires appeared to reflect on Shanahan’s tardy start.
Saleh, 38, had spent just three of his first 12 NFL seasons as a position coach, and was at best the 49ers’ third choice, after their top two candidates didn’t materialize: Former Jacksonville head coach Gus Bradley became the Chargers’ defensive coordinator and Chicago defensive coordinator — and former 49ers defensive coordinator — Vic Fangio couldn’t get out of his contract.
Hightower, 37, had spent his 10 NFL seasons as a lower-level assistant and it was fair to wonder how much his friendship with Shanahan — they were college teammates — explained his hiring.
Ten months later, however, it appears the 49ers have two capable coordinators who will stay with them in 2018.
Entering Sunday’s meeting against the Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium, the 49ers’ defense and special teams have reflected well on their leaders.
After the 49ers allowed the most points and yards in franchise history in 2016, Saleh, 38, has overseen a steadily improving unit this year.
After ranking last in the NFL in points and yards surrendered in 2016, the 49ers rank 21st and 22nd, respectively, and recently have shown signs of taking the next step: They haven’t allowed 100 rushing yards in their past four games, their first such streak since December 2013, and have allowed the fifth-fewest yards (295.6) in the NFL while winning four of the past five games.
That’s particularly noteworthy considering the defense is missing several key contributors: Defensive lineman Arik Armstead and safeties Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt have been on injured reserve since early November.
It has helped that rookie inside linebacker Reuben Foster has started six straight games after an injury-filled start. In addition, the 49ers have developed rookie safety Adrian Colbert, a seventhround pick, who has helped offset the losses of Ward and Tartt.
Last week, Saleh said cohesion has helped his 4-3 scheme find its groove.
“The injury bug has kind of settled down on defense,” Saleh said. “So those guys have been able to stack together practices and weeks and they’re starting to understand and play off each other and communicate. All those different things that are so critical to the success of the defense.”
Meanwhile, the 49ers’ special teams have been mostly stellar.
The punt-coverage unit ranks second in the NFL, allowing 4.3 yards per return, and a 61-yard touchdown it allowed against the Bears on Dec. 3 has been the lone misstep: The 49ers have surrendered 71 yards on 30 other returns.
Kicker Robbie Gould has the best field-goal percentage (94.7) of his 13-year career and punter Bradley Pinion has a career-best net average (41.2 yards) and ranks tied for third in the NFL in punts inside the 20-yard line (29). Juszczyk honored: Fullback Kyle Juszczyk was the lone member of the 49ers voted to the Pro Bowl. Juszczyk, a Pro Bowl selection last year with the Ravens, became the first 49er voted to the Pro Bowl since 2015 when left tackle Joe Staley and inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman were honored. He is the 49ers’ first Pro Bowl fullback since Harry Sydney in 2003.
Four 49ers are Pro Bowl alternates: Staley, tackle Trent Brown, kicker Robbie Gould and running back Carlos Hyde.