Shanahan Learned, Grew in First Year as Head Coach

When Kyle Shanahan ended his first season as head coach of the 49ers, players credited him with keeping the team focused and positive even through rough times.Even going winless over the first nine games didn't turn the atmosphere negative, said veteran offensive tackle Joe Staley."No one was where we wanted to be and the season was kind of not looking very fun, but he was able to stay the course," Staley told the media. "I think his first head coaching year was very, very impressive because of what he had to go through. It was no success early for him. He was able to build a locker room that was 2-14 the previous year and going through an 0-9 start and still had us believing."Of course, the rough start could have shaken Shanahan and caused him to question what he was doing. But he said he was able to keep on track in part because of the support he got from the players, his coaches and those above him.That, he said, was a key to keeping his focus and keeping a positive attitude in the locker room. Then, when Jimmy Garoppolo arrived to take over at quarterback, those positives – and better quarterback play – allowed the team to grow and finish with a five-game winning...