Kyle Shanahan and Mandy Shanahan during a press conference at Levi Stadium on February 9, 2017 in Santa Clara, California.Photo:Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty
Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty
San Francisco 49ers head coachKyle Shanahanhas found success on and off the football field since marrying Mandy Shanahan in 2005.
The couple first met and started dating in high school during the late ‘90s in Colorado while Kyle’s father Mike Shanahan was the head coach for theDenver Broncos. They briefly split up before reconnecting in college, where tragedy brought them closer together.
While in college, Mandy’s mother, Nancy O’Donnell, was diagnosed with Stage 4 gallbladder cancer, which she later died from in 2002. Once Kyle found out about Nancy’s diagnosis, he flew from his college in Texas to Colorado regularly to see Mandy, and he fell in love with her while watching how she dealt with her mother’s illness.
“There are very few times in life you get to see someone for who they genuinely are,” Kyle told theSan Francisco Chroniclein 2017. “Mandy going through that — it was as bad as anything you could go through — it showed me who she was. There was no B.S. to her. I saw who she was. And that was the person I fell in love with.”
The family of five has stuck together throughout Kyle’s football journey as well. Most recently, his family joined him on the field to celebrate the49ers' NFC Championship winover the Detroit Lions in January 2024, securing the team’s place in theSuper Bowlon Feb. 11, wherethe Kansas City Chiefs ultimately beat Kyle’s team.
So, who is Kyle Shanahan’s wife? Here’s everything to know about Mandy Shanahan and her relationship with the San Francisco 49ers head coach.
She and Kyle met in high school
Kyle Shanahan and Mandy Shanahan drive away on a golf cart during the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 on June 6, 2021 at Sonoma Raceway.Bob Kupbens/Sonoma Raceway/Icon Sportswire
Bob Kupbens/Sonoma Raceway/Icon Sportswire
Kyle and Mandy’s relationship began at Cherry Creek High School in Colorado in the late ‘90s. After high school, Kyle — who is one year older than Mandy — went to the University of Texas to play wide receiver for their football team, while Mandy went to the University of Colorado to study English literature.
The two split up after high school before reconnecting in college.
They became closer through tragedy
“He completely stunned me,” Mandy told theSan Francisco Chroniclein 2017. “Kyle, hands down, got me through that. After going through that with him, I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else.”
They got married in 2005
Kyle Shanahan and Mandy Shanahan in the locker room after the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 15, 2022.Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty
Kyle and Mandy wed in 2005 after having known each other for nearly a decade. Kyle never thought he would be married young, but the two knew they’d found something special shortly after graduating college.
“I never planned on getting married at a young age,” Kyle admitted to theSan Francisco Chronicle. “But then I understood ‘Okay, you don’t necessarily get to pick when you get married. You get married when you find the right person.’ And I found her. So I changed my plans.”
She has been her husband’s biggest supporter
Kyle Shanahan and Mandy Shanahan during the NFC Championship trophy ceremony following game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium on January 19, 2020.Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty
Mandy supported him through this transition and did not doubt that he had what it took to be a successful head coach in the NFL. While Mandy likes to keep her personal life private, she doesn’t hesitate to support her husband vocally.
“You hear that he’s hard to reach, or he’s arrogant,” Mandy told theSan Francisco Chronicle. “Kyle’s been one of the most sensitive people I’ve ever been around, in a good way. He’s so in tune with people’s emotions and how people feel. And that’s what makes him such a gifted father and supporting husband.”
Mandy is a 49ers fan
Kyle Shanahan celebrates with his family after defeating the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on January 28, 2024.Kevin Sabitus/Getty
Kevin Sabitus/Getty
Mandy has undoubtedly become a big 49ers fan since Kyle joined the franchise in 2017 and is heavily invested in the outcome of their games.
“I would like to change my outfit up. My wife will not let me,” Kyle joked toESPNin 2020. “I wore a red hat earlier in the year and now she’s so superstitious that if I take the hat off and we lose, it will only be because of that according to her. So, I’m usually going with my red hat and my white shirt.”
“I know everyone is very excited and wants to see him play,” Kyle said toSFGatein 2017. “Including myself. Including our coaches and players. Including my wife.”
Garoppolo was happy to hear he had a fan in Mandy upon learning of her excitement for his 49ers debut. “I haven’t had a chance to meet her yet,” Garoppolo toldNBCat the time. “It’s always a good thing to hear.”
They have three kids together
Kyle Shanahan and Mandy Shanahan with their kids Stella, Lexi, and Carter during the NFC Championship trophy ceremony following game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium on January 19, 2020.Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty
Kyle and Mandy have three kids together: Stella, Lexi and Carter.
Carter’s name became news when former NFL quarterback Chris Simms — a friend of Kyle’s — revealed that Carter was named after five-time Grammy winnerLil WayneonSimms and Lefkoe.
Lil Wayne’s real name is Dwayne Carter, and he has released five albums in hisTha Carterseries. This includes 2008’s multi-platinumTha Carter III, which was released the same year Kyle and Mandy welcomed their son.
The story gained so much traction that Lil Wayne eventually heard about it. Lil Wayne sent Kyle and Carter autographed posters with personalized messages and an autographedTha Carter IIICD to show his appreciation.
In 2018, Kyle admitted toESPNthat despite all the admiration, Lil Wayne was not necessarily the sole reason for his son’s name.
“If I told you it was 100 percent that, my wife would kill me,” Kyle said. “Tha Carter Istarted it, and I was just always into that. And when my wife told me she liked the name Carter, it was easy for me because I was pretty obsessed at the time.”
She and Kyle hosted “driveway parties” for their family every Friday afternoon
With the demanding schedule of coaching an NFL season, Kyle has had to go to great lengths to spend quality time with his family. According to theSan Francisco Chronicle, Kyle established a four-hour “driveway party” every Friday afternoon where he, Mandy, and the kids rode bikes and shot hoops.
“There’s really two things that are important to me,” Kyle said. “And that’s my family and that’s football. And that’s really all the things I think about.”
source: people.com
