Eddie DeBartolo Jr. Mulls Firing 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan?

Kyle Shanahan is embarking on his eighth season as the head coach of the 49ers, boasting a record of 64-51, including two Super Bowl losses. Recently, he inked a contract extension, signaling Jed York’s appreciation for his relevance.

Comparatively, George Seifert helmed the 49ers for eight seasons as well, tallying an impressive 98-30 record and clinching two Super Bowl victories. Despite this success, Seifert was ultimately let go—a testament to Eddie DeBartolo Jr.’s exacting standards.

The question arises: if DeBartolo Jr. were still at the helm, would he have ousted Shanahan by now?

To unravel this, I consulted my father, Lowell Cohn, a seasoned 49ers reporter from 1979 to 2017. Here’s his take:

LC: “In Seifert’s final season with the 49ers, he secured a 12-4 record. However, consecutive defeats in the divisional round to Green Bay and their coach, Mike Holmgren, prompted Eddie DeBartolo Jr., renowned for his high expectations, to terminate Seifert’s tenure. Eddie’s mindset was clear—he didn’t settle for mere playoff appearances; he demanded Super Bowl victories. Seifert’s inability to deliver prompted his dismissal. While Eddie’s actions may have seemed hasty at times due to his emotional nature, he was resolute. The decision to part ways with George, a two-time Super Bowl champion, proved to be debatable, especially considering his successor, Steve Mariucci, lacked the football acumen of Bill Walsh, George, or Jim Harbaugh. Despite this, Eddie didn’t hesitate to make changes.

So, would Eddie have axed Kyle? Given his history, absolutely. Shanahan, despite leading the team to two Super Bowl appearances, faltered with costly errors and rule mishaps. Eddie, who prioritized Super Bowl triumphs, wouldn’t have tolerated such shortcomings. Personally, I would have supported Eddie’s decision. While Shanahan’s tenure brought the team to great heights, it’s time for someone to lead us to greater success. Thank you for your contributions, but it’s time to move on.”