San Francisco 49ers History

The San Francisco 49ers are in their seventy-eighth season, playing their home games at Levi's Stadium, in San Francisco, California since 2014. The 49ers are led by head coach Kyle Shanahan since 2017.

The 49ers have won five Super Bowls in their history, most recently in 1994.

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Franchise Award Winners

In 2011, head coach Jim Harbaugh won Coach of the Year after leading the team to a 13-3-0 record.

During their careers, multiple players have won awards for the team: Bryant Young won the Comeback Player of the Year in 1999; Steve Young won the Most Valuable Player in 1992 and 1994 and the AP Offensive Player of the Year in 1992; Joe Montana won the Most Valuable Player in 1989 and 1990, the AP Offensive Player of the Year in 1989, and the Comeback Player of the Year in 1986; John Brodie won the Most Valuable Player in 1970; Garrison Hearst won the Comeback Player of the Year in 2001; Patrick Willis won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2007; Dana Stubblefield won the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 1997 and the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1993; Bruce Taylor won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1970; Jerry Rice won the AP Offensive Player of the Year in 1987 and 1993; Deion Sanders won the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 1994; Roger Craig won the AP Offensive Player of the Year in 1988; Nick Bosa won the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019.

San Francisco 49ers by the Decades

1940s

The San Francisco 49ers' inaugural season was 1946. During the decade, the 49ers had a record of 38-14-2 during the regular season and 1-1 in the playoffs. They played their home games at Kezar Stadium. They won zero division titles. The 49ers ranked 2nd in the West division with a win percentage of 71%.

1950s

During the decade, the 49ers had a record of 63-54-3 during the regular season and 0-1 in the playoffs. They played their home games at Kezar Stadium. They won zero division titles. The 49ers ranked 3rd in the West division with a win percentage of 56% and ranked 4th in the National division with a win percentage of 49%.

1960s

During the decade, the 49ers had a record of 57-74-7 during the regular season and not a single game in the playoffs. They played their home games at Kezar Stadium. They won zero division titles. The 49ers ranked 5th in the West division with a win percentage of 43% and ranked 3rd in the Coastal division with a win percentage of 46%.

1970s

During the decade, the 49ers had a record of 60-82-2 during the regular season and 2-3 in the playoffs. They played their home games at Kezar Stadium (1970) and Candlestick Park (1971-1979). They won three division titles. The 49ers ranked 3rd in the NFC West division with a win percentage of 42%.

1980s

During the decade, the 49ers had a record of 104-47-1 during the regular season and 13-4 in the playoffs. They played their home games at Candlestick Park. They won seven division titles. The 49ers ranked 1st in the NFC West division with a win percentage of 69%. Throughout the 1980s, they led the entire league in wins. They won four Super Bowls in 1981, 1984, 1988, and 1989.

1990s

During the decade, the 49ers had a record of 113-47-0 during the regular season and 9-7 in the playoffs. In fact, the one hundred and thirteen wins represents the most wins in a decade for the 49ers. They played their home games at 3Com Park. They won six division titles. The 49ers ranked 1st in the NFC West division with a win percentage of 71%. Throughout the 1990s, they led the entire league in wins. They won one Super Bowl in 1994.

2000s

During the decade, the 49ers had a record of 68-92-0 during the regular season and 1-2 in the playoffs. They played their home games at Candlestick Park. They won one division title. The 49ers ranked 4th in the NFC West division with a win percentage of 42%.

2010s

During the decade, the 49ers had a record of 80-79-1 during the regular season and 7-4 in the playoffs. They played their home games at Candlestick Park (2010-2013) and Levi's Stadium (2014-2019). They won three division titles. The 49ers ranked 2nd in the NFC West division with a win percentage of 50%.

2020s

During the decade, the 49ers had a record of 41-26-0 during the regular season and 6-3 in the playoffs. They played their home games at Levi's Stadium. They won two division titles. The 49ers ranked 1st in the NFC West division with a win percentage of 61%.

San Francisco 49ers Head Coaching History

Head Coach Years Record Win percentage Playoff record
Kyle Shanahan 2017-2023 64-51-0 55.7% 8-4
Chip Kelly 2016 2-14-0 12.5% 0-0
Jim Tomsula 2010, 2015 6-11-0 35.3% 0-0
Jim Harbaugh 2011-2014 44-19-1 69.5% 5-3
Mike Singletary 2008-2010 18-22-0 45.0% 0-0
Mike Nolan 2005-2008 18-37-0 32.7% 0-0
Dennis Erickson 2003-2004 9-23-0 28.1% 0-0
Steve Mariucci 1997-2002 57-39-0 59.4% 3-4
George Seifert 1989-1996 98-30-0 76.6% 10-5
Bill Walsh 1979-1988 92-59-1 60.9% 10-4
Pete McCulley 1978 1-8-0 11.1% 0-0
Fred O'Connor 1978 1-6-0 14.3% 0-0
Ken Meyer 1977 5-9-0 35.7% 0-0
Monte Clark 1976 8-6-0 57.1% 0-0
Dick Nolan 1968-1975 54-53-5 50.4% 2-3
Jack Christiansen 1963-1967 26-38-3 41.0% 0-0
Red Hickey 1959-1963 27-27-1 50.0% 0-0
Frankie Albert 1956-1958 19-16-1 54.2% 0-1
Norman "Red" Strader 1955 4-8-0 33.3% 0-0
Lawrence "Buck" Shaw 1946-1954 71-39-4 64.0% 1-1

Franchise history

Franchise history guide

Seasons with a championship win Seasons with a conference championship

Franchise facts