Shanahan to resume coaching duties for Niners preseason opener
Kyle Shanahan intends to lead the San Francisco 49ers against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, marking a significant step in his return from injuries sustained in a vehicle collision last month.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has confirmed he intends to coach the team’s preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, signalling a return to full operational duties following a serious car crash in July. The 46-year-old coach stated he is at or near full strength, having sustained a concussion, three broken ribs, a broken left hand, and a broken nose in the incident on 14 July.
Shanahan addressed the media for the first time since the collision on Saturday, noting that while his physical injuries have largely healed, his recovery from concussion symptoms has not been linear. He described experiencing lingering fatigue and headaches, which has necessitated a managed approach to his workload. He revealed that he recently experienced a setback after a team meeting, feeling better one day only to feel worse the following morning, a pattern that has informed his current routine of limiting media engagements and extensive film study sessions.
The accident occurred in Palo Alto, California, when Shanahan’s Tesla Model S autopilot disengaged after he dropped his phone beneath the seat. Shanahan acknowledged that the collision with a 21-year-old female driver was avoidable and accepted full responsibility. He expressed uncertainty as to whether the autopilot malfunctioned or if he inadvertently disengaged it while reaching for the device, but emphasised that taking his eyes off the road remains his primary error regardless of the technology involved.
During his recovery period, Shanahan has delegated significant coaching responsibilities to assistant head coach Chris Foerster. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, and special teams coordinator Brant Boyer have also assumed larger roles within the staff. Shanahan noted that he has been limiting his presence in team meetings and media interactions to avoid exacerbating his symptoms, focusing instead on essential duties such as film review and practice oversight.
The experience has provided Shanahan with a new perspective on head injuries, allowing him to better relate to the concerns expressed by players regarding concussions. He admitted that while players had previously told him not to compare sports-related concussions to accidents, he is now realising the unique fears associated with each type of injury. Shanahan stated he is working towards a normal routine and aims to return to 100% capacity as the preseason progresses.
