Does Kyle Shanahan Need a Fresh Start?

Kyle Shanahan has been to four NFC Championship Games in the past five years and has zero Super Bowl rings to show for his effort.

Some people might conclude that Shanahan simply can't and never will win the biggest game. Others will point out that the head coach who has beaten Shanahan twice in the Super Bowl -- Andy Reid -- also went to four NFC Championship Games in five years as the Eagles head coach and came away empty handed, and now he's a three-time champion. So don't write off Shanahan just yet. He might need another 15 years to age and mature like Reid did.

But Reid didn't magically grow and mature over time with the Eagles -- they let him go. And their breakup was the best thing for both sides, because it's quite possible they never would have won a Super Bowl together. Reid needed to start over as a mature adult who had honestly assessed what had held him back from winning a Super Bowl in Philadelphia. And the Eagles needed a fresh start as well -- they eventually won a Super Bowl before Reid won one in Kansas City.

So sure, maybe Shanahan is the next Andy Reid. But if that's true, then Shanahan probably won't win a Super Bowl with the 49ers, because he'll keep doubling down on his mistakes until he's eventually fired or let go. Then at his next job, he might change just enough to get over the hump.

Either way, he probably won't win a Super Bowl with the 49ers.