San Francisco 49ers head coach history
Kyle Shanahan
Shanahan is the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers since the 2017 season, a total of eight years. The team made it to the playoffs four times (2019, 2021-2023) and had a 8-4 record under Coach Shanahan in playoff games. In 2019, the San Francisco 49ers faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. The 49ers lost, 20-31. In 2023, the San Francisco 49ers faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. The 49ers lost, 22-25.
Chip Kelly
Kelly was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2016 season. Kelly's record as the team's head coach was 2-14-0, making him the second-least successful head coach in San Francisco 49ers history.
Jim Tomsula
Tomsula was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2015 season.
Jim Harbaugh
Harbaugh was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2011-2014 seasons, a total of four years. Harbaugh's record as the team's head coach was 44-19-1, making him the second-most successful head coach in San Francisco 49ers history. The team made it to the playoffs three times (2011-2013) and had a 5-3 record under Coach Harbaugh in playoff games. In 2012, the San Francisco 49ers faced off against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII. The 49ers lost, 31-34.
Mike Singletary
Singletary was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2009-2010 seasons, a total of two years.
Mike Nolan
Nolan was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2005-2008 seasons, a total of four years.
Dennis Erickson
Erickson was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2003-2004 seasons, a total of two years. Erickson's record as the team's head coach was 9-23-0, making him the third-least successful head coach in San Francisco 49ers history.
Steve Mariucci
Mariucci was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1997-2002 seasons, a total of six years. The team made it to the playoffs four times (1997-1998, 2001-2002) and had a 3-4 record under Coach Mariucci in playoff games.
George Seifert
Seifert was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1989-1996 seasons, a total of eight years. Seifert's record as the team's head coach was 98-30-0, making him the most successful head coach in San Francisco 49ers history. The team made it to the playoffs seven times (1989-1990, 1992-1996) and had a 10-5 record under Coach Seifert in playoff games. In 1989, the San Francisco 49ers faced off against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV. The 49ers won, 55-10. In 1994, the San Francisco 49ers faced off against the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX. The 49ers won, 49-26.
Bill Walsh
Walsh was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1979-1988 seasons, a total of ten years. The team made it to the playoffs seven times (1981, 1983-1988) and had a 10-4 record under Coach Walsh in playoff games. In 1981, the San Francisco 49ers faced off against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI. The 49ers won, 26-21. In 1984, the San Francisco 49ers faced off against the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX. The 49ers won, 38-16. In 1988, the San Francisco 49ers faced off against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII. The 49ers won, 20-16.
Pete McCulley
McCulley was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1978 season. McCulley's record as the team's head coach was 1-8-0, making him the least successful head coach in San Francisco 49ers history.
Ken Meyer
Meyer was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1977 season.
Monte Clark
Clark was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1976 season.
Dick Nolan
Nolan was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1968-1975 seasons, a total of eight years. The team made it to the playoffs three times (1970-1972) and had a 2-3 record under Coach Nolan in playoff games.
Jack Christiansen
Christiansen was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1964-1967 seasons, a total of four years.
Red Hickey
Hickey was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1959-1963 seasons, a total of five years.
Frankie Albert
Albert was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1956-1958 seasons, a total of three years. The team made it to the playoffs one time (1957) and had a 0-1 record under Coach Albert in playoff games.
Norman "Red" Strader
Strader was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1955 season.
Lawrence "Buck" Shaw
Shaw was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1946-1954 seasons, a total of nine years. Shaw's record as the team's head coach was 71-39-4, making him the third-most successful head coach in San Francisco 49ers history. The team made it to the playoffs one time (1949) and had a 1-1 record under Coach Shaw in playoff games.
San Francisco 49ers head coach record
| Coach | Years | Record | Win percentage | Playoff record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Shanahan | 2017-2024 | 70-62-0 | 53.0% | 8-4 |
| Chip Kelly | 2016 | 2-14-0 | 12.5% | 0-0 |
| Jim Tomsula | 2015 | 5-11-0 | 31.3% | 0-0 |
| Jim Harbaugh | 2011-2014 | 44-19-1 | 69.5% | 5-3 |
| Mike Singletary | 2009-2010 | 13-18-0 | 41.9% | 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 |
| 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 | 1964-1967 | 24-29-3 | 45.5% | 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 |
San Francisco 49ers head coach facts
- Lawrence "Buck" Shaw was the first head coach in 49ers history in 1946.
- Bill Walsh coached the most seasons as the 49ers's head coach at ten seasons.
- Kyle Shanahan is the current head coach, starting ahead of the 2017 season.