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The 49ers have an excellent track record when it comes to their coordinators and assistants going on to find more prominent roles elsewhere.
Since he took over as head coach in 2017, six of Kyle Shanahan’s assistants have gone on to become head coaches. With Robert Saleh getting his second shot as a head coach with the Tennessee Titans, Jeff Hafley landing with the Miami Dolphins, Klint Kubiak taking charge of the Las Vegas Raiders, and Mike LaFleur being appointed as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, the 2026 season will see five former 49er assistants lead teams.
As such, it is fair to have the expectation that, when next year’s hiring cycle rolls around, there will be interest in the 49ers’ current staff.
That is, of course, at least partially dependent on San Francisco’s fortunes in the coming campaign.
But the smart money says San Francisco will be among the best teams in the NFC again in 2026, with an offense that is likely to be one of the most efficient in football.
Should that happen, then there may be head coaching chatter around Klint Kubiak’s brother Klay, who has the title of offensive coordinator with the 49ers even though Shanahan calls the plays.
And The Athletic’s Jordan Rodrigue believes there is a possibility Kubiak could follow a similar path to his brother, naming him as an assistant coach breakout candidate.
Rodrigue writes:
“Don’t look now, there’s another Kubiak! The first-year offensive coordinator worked his way up after initially joining the 49ers as a defensive assistant in 2021. He also was an assistant quarterbacks coach and passing game specialist. External observers may see a natural path for Kubiak similar to that of his brother, now-Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, who worked under 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan as a passing game coordinator in 2023.”
While Shanahan is the man who has control of the offense on gameday, he has consistently said that game planning is a collective process. As such, if the 49ers’ offense does fire as it has consistently done so under Shanahan, there is likely to be intrigue around the younger Kubiak.
On the defensive side of the ball, K.J. Wright could be considered a compelling breakout candidate. While defensive coordinator Raheem Morris might be out of chances to be a head coach, Wright may receive attention as a potential coordinator himself if he can get the best out of a 49er linebacking core that has plenty of questions around it going into the season.
But in terms of moving into the big chair, or at least a coordinator role where he calls plays, it is Kubiak who has the most obvious avenue. Shanahan has had to deal with a lot of coaching staff turnover in his tenure, and more could be on the horizon should his offense thrive again this season.
