Leading the list are Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots, Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints, and Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks.
Shanahan started his rookie head coaching season leading the 49ers to an 0-9 start. The team finished the season winning six of its final seven games, including five-straight victories after Jimmy Garoppolo was named the starting quarterback.
Expectations for the 49ers heading into the 2018 season are higher than they have been in years. The 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are viewed as the top two contenders within the NFL West. Garoppolo is headed into his first full season as a starter and the team added names like cornerback Richard Sherman on defense and running back Jerick McKinnon on offense.
Harrison wonders if the 49ers' finish to the 2017 season was influenced more by Garoppolo or Shanahan finally finding a quarterback who could properly execute his system.
"There are a few head coaches included in this league pecking order who are quite tough to evaluate," wrote Harrison. "Shanahan is front and center in that regard, as he took over a team offering both upside and a host of potential growing pains. The 49ers also had no quarterback until Jimmy Garoppolo came on board. San Francisco started winning at that point. So, was the five-game winning streak all Jimmy G, or does Shanahan deserve praise for catering his system to the young quarterback? Leaning toward the latter, but we need more volume than one third of a season to evaluate."
H/T to Patrick Tulini for the find.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Where the 49ers stand in Week 15 power rankings after bounce-back win
After enduring a grueling three-game losing streak, including two lopsided defeats, the San Francisco 49ers finally found their footing with a commanding 38-13 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. But was the performance enough to convince the national media that the team... -
Brock Purdy update: Kyle Shanahan says 49ers QB has been 'great all week'
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy struggled during last Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Difficult weather conditions and his recent recovery from a shoulder injury likely contributed to his performance. This week, Purdy has been a full participant in practice and is... -
Kyle Shanahan eager to see how 49ers respond to losing streak
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is eager to see how his team responds when they face the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The 49ers are reeling from a three-game losing streak, including two embarrassing defeats to the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills, where they were... -
Kyle Shanahan, Brock Purdy share final updates ahead of 49ers-Bears Week 14 matchup
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback Brock Purdy spoke with reporters after Friday's practice as the team prepares for its Week 14 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Here's everything they said. Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers...