Texas Football: Kyle Shanahan ‘isn’t interested’ in coaching college

Former Texas football transfer and San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan reportedly doesn’t want to coach in college.

The conversation surrounding where the Texas football program can take its coaching search as they approach the 2021 offseason is coming to a head right now. Texas still has fourth-year head coach Tom Herman around heading into a game this weekend against the Kansas State Wildcats on the road in Manhattan.

Herman and the Longhorns kick off against Kansas State at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. CT.

But as Texas approaches this key showdown against Kansas State, which could have bowl game positioning on the line for both teams, most of the focus is surrounding the recruiting trail and potential coaching search. Texas also lost a good number of key players to opt outs/transfers this week. The Longhorns are now down junior running back Keaontay Ingram, redshirt junior offensive tackle Sam Cosmi, and junior safety Caden Sterns.

So what can Herman do from here so solidify job security?

It’s hard to tell.

If he is replaced heading into next offseason, the common name that is being discussed of late is former Ohio State Buckeyes and Florida Gators three-time National Championship winning head coach Urban Meyer. But if Texas can’t get Meyer, then they’ll have to look elsewhere if the plan is to replace Herman no matter what.

One name that was brought about on my list of potential Herman coaching replacements is the Texas Ex and current San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. That name was thrown around a little bit in this potential coaching candidate conversation, but he reportedly (per Horns247 piece, paid content) “isn’t interested” in coaching at the college ranks right now.

Shanahan led the 49ers to the Super Bowl last season, which eventually led to a loss to superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. He would be a home run hire if the Longhorns could land him, but it doesn’t appear that is a possibility right now.

He is willing apparently to make a recommendation for other coaching candidates, namely among those on his staff with the 49ers at the moment. But that might not do all that much to help Texas athletic director Chris del Conte make a decision in the near future.

Herman and the Longhorns hold a record of 5-3 (4-3 Big 12), following their disappointing loss to head coach Matt Campbell and the No. 13 ranked Iowa State Cyclones last week (on Black Friday/Senior Day). Texas lost to Iowa State by the final score of 23-20.