Tuesday 7 February 2017 16:54, UK
Kyle Shanahan has been named the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers after leaving the Atlanta Falcons.
The 37-year-old, who was the Falcons' offensive coordinator, becomes the NFL's second-youngest head coach, older only than his newly-appointed Los Angeles Rams counterpart Sean McVay.
Shanahan, the son of long-time NFL coach Mike Shanahan, is the 20th coach in 49ers history but their third in three seasons, replacing the fired Chip Kelly after a disappointing 2-14 campaign.
"It is truly an honour to be named head coach of the San Francisco 49ers," said Shanahan.
"As a young man, I had the unique benefit of being exposed to the storied history of the San Francisco 49ers first hand. From that exposure, I developed great respect for those who created a world-class, championship standard.
"As this team begins the task of re-establishing that standard, I could not ask for a better partner than [general manager] John Lynch.
"I look forward to establishing a strong culture that will serve as our foundation for constructing this team."
Lynch said: "The San Francisco 49ers are very fortunate to be able to bring in a coach of the caliber of Kyle Shanahan.
"As an offensive mind, I think he stands alone in the National Football League, as evidenced by the explosive and record-setting offence in Atlanta."
Shanahan's Falcons averaged an NFL-best 33.8 points a game this season, his second in the post with Atlanta after one season in the same job with Cleveland and three seasons as Washington's offensive coordinator.
The Falcons suffered an agonising 34-28 overtime loss to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on Sunday, having led by 25 points at one stage.
Shanahan will now take over an offensive unit that finished next-to-last in the NFL in yards per game this past season.
