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Shanahan to Coach Preseason Opener After July Crash, Says Tesla Was on Autopilot

The coach’s return reflects steady concussion recovery under a player-style protocol, while questions about Autopilot performance and police records remain unresolved.

Overview

  • Shanahan suffered a severe two-vehicle crash on July 14 that left him with a concussion, a broken nose, a broken hand, three broken ribs and a facial laceration that required more than 40 stitches.
  • He told reporters on Aug. 8 that he still has intermittent headaches and fatigue but plans to coach the 49ers’ preseason opener on Aug. 13 if his progress continues.
  • Shanahan accepted responsibility for the wreck, saying he reached for a phone that fell between the seats and briefly took his eyes off the road.
  • He said his Tesla was in Autopilot when the crash occurred but that it is unknown whether the system malfunctioned or was accidentally disengaged, a detail that keeps safety and user-responsibility questions open.
  • While Shanahan has limited his daily presence, assistant head coach Chris Foerster and the coordinators have run team operations and Shanahan has stayed involved in film work, a split that kept the team functioning during his recovery.