49ers logo at Levi Stadium Jan 19, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; General view of San Francisco 49ers logo in the NFC Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
ArticlesNFLBy Robert O'Neill on

The San Francisco 49ers have grown accustomed to success under head coach Kyle Shanahan,

From 2019 to 2023, San Francisco went 54-29 and won the NFC West thrice. They also made it to four NFC Championship games and two Super Bowls.

While the team has fallen short in the postseason, it has still won eight playoff games during that stretch.

The 2024 49ers finished a disappointing 6-11, the second-worst season under Shanahan behind the team’s 4-12 finish in 2018. The team was disjointed, inconsistent, and riddled with injuries.

It was clear that changes were in order in San Francisco, and Shanahan has spent the early stages of the offseason making those changes. Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh returned to San Francisco as their defensive coordinator, a role he held from 2017-2020.

On Tuesday, the offensive coaching staff underwent changes. Longtime offensive assistant Klay Kubiak was promoted to offensive coordinator. Additionally, quarterbacks coach Brian Griese has been replaced by Mick Lombardi.

People were interested in these podcasts
Discover more podcasts →
Play Episode
60min
The Play-By-Play
Breakfast Ball's debut, Kirk Herbstreit goes heel and Coach Prime bans a columnist
On the latest episode of The Play-By-Play, Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss the debut of Fox Sports 1's "Breakfast Ball," the season premiere of "College GameDay" with Nick Saban's debut, Kirk Herbstreit going heel and Pat McAfee getting drunk, and Deion Sanders and Colorado banning The Denver Post's Sean Keeler from press conferences.Time Stamps:-:07: Welcome to The Play-By-Play!-1:53: The debut of FS1's "Breakfast Ball"-12:18: What happened with Michelle Beadle and FS1?-13:03: The rest of FS1's new lineup.-21:01 Nick Saban's debut on "College GameDay"-29:37: Kirk Herbstreit goes heel-34:47: Do we care Pat McAfee got drunk on air?-39:10: Colorado and Deion Sanders ban a columnist from press conferences.-49:14: Bill Simmons in a contract year-54:38: Who could be the next Tony Kornheiser in a broadcast booth?You can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
ESPN CFP takeaways, AA NFL announcer rankings overview
The first 12-team College Football Playoff is almost over. How did ESPN do? NFL head coaches are rarely traded so why does everyone in sports media want the Steelers to trade Mike Tomlin? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics, and we discuss our NFL announcer rankings with AA's Andrew Bucholtz, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:54: ESPN College Football Playoff takeaways-22:28: AA’s NFL announcer rankings-43:19: Kyle Hamilton tidbit everyone is using-46:24: Tom Brady conflict of interest talk calling Lions playoff game-57:02: Mike Tomlin trade-1:01:26: Danny Goodwin-1:03:36: Pat McAfee’s Field Pass altcastYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract, TGL talk, what replaces 'Around the Horn?'
Stephen A. Smith and ESPN finally have a deal and the TGL is entering the playoffs in their first season. Awful Announcing's Brandon Contes and Drew Lerner join Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen to discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:01: Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract with Brandon Contes-32:23 TGL entering playoffs with Drew Lerner-50:33: What should replace “Around the Horn?”-58:33 Giving up X posting for Lent updateYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Cris Collinsworth's extension, Aaron Hernandez show, Caitlin Clark's rookie year
What does Cris Collinsworth's new contract mean for the future of NFL broadcasting? Why is there a scripted TV show about Aaron Hernandez? And what are our sports media takeaways from Caitlin Clark's rookie season? Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss these topics and more as Lyndsey D'Arcangelo stops by on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:09: Cris Collinsworth re-signing with NBC-10:14: Domino effect of Collinsworth’s renewal-18:15: Domonique Foxworth on "American Sports Story"-33:09: Welcome Lyndsey D’Arcangelo to The Play-By-Play-56:38: “Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” 20th anniversary oral historyYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero had the news first.

Kubiak, son of longtime NFL head coach Gary, is entering his fifth season with the 49ers. He has held various roles, including defensive quality control coach, assistant quarterbacks coach, and passing game specialist. His brother Klint is the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, perhaps San Francisco’s biggest rival.

Griese has been the quarterbacks coach since 2022. He is reportedly stepping away from coaching per ESPN.

Lombardi is the son of NFL executive Michael Lombardi. He was on the 49ers staff from 2013-16 before making stops with the New York Jets, New England Patriots, and Las Vegas Raiders. Lombardi returned to the 49ers in 2024 as a senior offensive assistant.

Social media had a lot to say about the coaching changes.

About Robert O'Neill

View all posts by Robert O'Neill