For a time, it looked like Kyle Shanahan was in danger of being remembered as the offensive coordinator whose iffy playcalling helped enable the New England Patriots to rally from a 28-3 deficit to beat the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI.
Fortunately, his tenure as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers has changed that significantly, but Shanahan still gets questions about that collapse. He was criticized for continuing to throw the ball with that lead, and not trying more aggressively to run down clock and end the game.
Shanahan said he ultimately has few regrets and that the experience made him a better coach.
#49ers Kyle Shanahan is asked for the zillionth time 3 days into Super Bowl week about the 2016 Falcons' 28-3 blown lead in the Super Bowl. Shanahan has been very open to discuss it, proud of that team, regrets only 1 or 2 calls. "I feel a lot better and stronger because of it."
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 29, 2020
Shanahan’s calls in that Super Bowl were awkward even for his own team, but he’s certainly saved his reputation and then some. He may never live it down entirely, but a win in Super Bowl LIV will go a long way toward making people forget.
