Let that sink in.
Kyle Shanahan, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, says he doesn’t watch college film until February. That’s right — not before the draft. Not in January. February. That’s when he finally starts watching players’ college tape.
He says he relies on his position coaches to make the high-level evaluations. That’s not a strategy. That’s a cop-out.
Why This Matters to Real Families
Look, I’ve been around football since I was knee-high to a quarterback. I’ve watched kids work their way up from high school fields to pro stadiums. I’ve seen the long hours, the early mornings, the late-night film sessions. These kids aren’t just athletes — they’re sons, brothers, fathers. They’re our future leaders.
And now we’re told the head coach of one of the NFL’s top teams doesn’t even look at their college tape until after the draft?
That’s not leadership. That’s delegation without accountability.
And here’s the kicker — it’s not just about talent. It’s about character. It’s about how they handle pressure. How they lead in the huddle. How they respond when the game’s on the line. You can’t build a culture if you’re not even seeing the foundation.
Now, I’m not saying Shanahan’s wrong to trust his staff. But the head coach owns the culture. The head coach owns the decisions. If he’s not doing the work, who is?
And this isn’t just about one coach. It’s about a trend. I’ve heard from multiple sources — including a former NFL assistant coach who spoke on background — that this isn’t unique to Shanahan. Some teams are moving toward “hands-off” evaluation, letting position coaches run the show.
But here’s the thing: their teams are still winning. So what’s the real issue?
It’s not about wins. It’s about trust. It’s about who we’re putting in charge of our next generation of athletes. Our kids look up to these men. They study their film. They want to be like them.
But if the head coach won’t even watch the tape, how can they believe in the process?
And let’s be honest — if you’re a parent, a mom, a woman raising a son who dreams of the NFL, wouldn’t you want the coach to know your kid’s game? To see the film? To know their work ethic?
Because if not, then who is?
Bottom line: if you’re going to be the boss, you need to do the work. You can’t outsource your judgment. You can’t skip the film. Not if you want to earn the respect of your players, your fans, your community.
So here’s my question for you: if your son or daughter is trying to make it to the NFL, would you want the head coach to know their film? Or would you want them to be just another name on a list?
Let’s talk. Drop your thoughts below.
This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team.