Shanahan says head coaching job ‘doesn’t have to happen’ in 2017

The Atlanta Falcons are set to begin a postseason run, but one of the men behind the team’s offensive success has another duty of significance ahead of him.

Kyle Shanahan, Atlanta’s offensive coordinator who has been an integral part of building one of the league’s best offenses, is being pursued by teams with head coaching vacancies.

NFL.com reported that Shanahan will interview with the Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams on Friday and Saturday while Falcons players and coaches have off days during the bye week. With the Falcons not having a game to prepare for this week, the window is open for Shanahan to pursue the opportunity.

The connections for Shanahan are endless, and he has received advice from those around him as he discusses the opportunity of becoming the league’s youngest head coach at 37. Primarily, the influence could come from his father Mike, who has 20 years of head coaching experience in the NFL and had Kyle as an assistant during his most head coaching stop in Washington from 2010-13.

Another source of influence for Shanahan is his boss Dan Quinn, who went through a similar interview process while in the midst of a postseason run as the defensive coordinator with Seattle.

“He just told me to be myself and enjoy the process,” Shanahan said of Quinn. “It’s something that you can’t get stressed out about. I just have to be open-minded and can’t have any expectations.”

Shanahan has endured a great deal of experience on both ends of the spectrum. Shanahan said criticism throughout his days with the Redskins affected him in the early stages of his career.

It continued in his first season as Atlanta’s offensive coordinator as the team finished with an 8-8 record and the team’s fan base displayed unease with his hiring. That experience proved to be beneficial for Shanahan in leading Atlanta to its position to a first-round bye and in his future coaching endeavors.

“I lost my innocence to the league at Washington,” Shanahan said. “If I want to live my life or enjoy my time in the league, then I have to learn how to do this, and if I can’t, then I should get out. I’ve been battle-tested, and it’s made me a better coach and a better person.”

As the process begins, many believe that it’s a given that Shanahan will leave Atlanta after the season due to interest from multiple franchises. While Shanahan believes he’s prepared for the opportunity, he has enjoyed his two seasons in Atlanta and faces a tough decision.

“I definitely (think I can be a good head coach),” Shanahan said. “It’s about getting that opportunity and finding the right fit. It’s definitely not something I have to do. I love it here and love the situation and team. There’s no one better I could work for, and my family loves it here. By no means, is it something that has to get done, but it’s the goal of most people in our profession.

“I wouldn’t take any job, absolutely not. When you love where you are, you have to weigh your options.”

Reports surfaced this week that Denver has emerged as the most likely destination for Shanahan, due to his father having success as a former head coach with the Broncos.

Denver might end up being Shanahan’s destination, but not solely due to family history within the organization. Instead, the prestige of the franchise under John Elway is what attracts Shanahan the most.

“I know some of the people in the organization just growing up from there,” Shanahan said. “I never worked in Denver and haven’t been there since high school. But I have a lot of respect for them as football people, and that’s the most flattering. They do things the right way and want to win a Super Bowl, and I respect that when they want to talk to you.”

One of the biggest beneficiaries of Shanahan’s second season in Atlanta has been quarterback Matt Ryan, who is in the conversation for league MVP.

Ryan foreshadows similar success for Shanahan at the head coaching level as he had as an offensive coordinator, while it would be a big loss for Atlanta. A potential replacement for Shanahan if he is to head elsewhere could be internal with Mike McDaniel.

“I think he’d be very much like he is as a coordinator,” Ryan said. “I think he speaks when he needs to, and he gets his message across really well. He believes in self-motivation, too, and surrounding himself will people that are self-motivated and want to win. He’s been as good at that as anybody I’ve been around.”

This story was originally published January 5, 2017 at 2:39 PM with the headline "Shanahan says head coaching job ‘doesn’t have to happen’ in 2017."