Along with Sean McVay (Rams) and Matt LaFleur (Packers), Kyle Shanahan (49ers) is widely seen as one of the most innovative and creative head coaches in the NFL, specifically as a play-caller. Opposing NFL teams have looked for any and all opportunities to snag branches off of their respective coaching trees looking for the next big thing in football. McVay just hired his next offensive coordinator from his own tree, bringing back Liam Coen — his former assistant quarterbacks coach in L.A. — after one year of great success at Kentucky.
With Kentucky in need of a replacement, Mark Stoops has reportedly plucked another branch from the NFL’s high-profile coaching trio, this time from Shanahan.