Kyle Shanahan Messing Up Time Zones For 60 Straight Seconds Leaves Reporters in Splits

49ers head coach has found keeping track of different time zones challenging.

Kyle Shanahan Messing Up Time Zones For 60 Straight Seconds Leaves Reporters in Splits

Kyle Shanahan (Image via IMAGO)

The San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is still adjusting to the time zone differences between California and Melbourne, Australia. He cracked a joke while explaining his difficulties to the media at a recent press conference.

The Los Angeles Rams picked rivals the 49ers for their first-ever NFL game on Australian soil. It’s scheduled to take place at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 10.

The Niners landed in Australia on September 4, nearly a week before the fixture, to connect with local fans and acclimate to the weather and the time zone differences.

The California club did not need to worry about winning over fans in Melbourne. However, getting used to the time zone differences has proven challenging for head coach Kyle Shanahan. He said as the reporters burst out laughing:

When ⁠[the Niners] play on our Friday, which I think is a Thursday in the U.S., we’re such creatures of habit. So, I call today Tuesday. ​No, wait, sorry, I call today Wednesday, which is the first day we put in the game plan. But I think it’s ​Monday. However, it’s Sunday in the present, so like I’m going to mess that up all week if you guys ask me. Don’t ever make me do that again.

Both teams won one each in 2025. The Niners still hold an overall advantage over their NFC West rivals, with a record of 79 wins, 72 losses, and 3 ties. The 2026 opening-day fixture will stream live on Netflix.

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Kyle Shanahan shares his thoughts on playing against Aaron Donald

The Niners fans are expected to outnumber their counterparts on game day. But one man can nullify that advantage all by himself.

Kyle Shanahan Messing Up Time Zones For 60 Straight Seconds Leaves Reporters in Splits
Aaron Donald (Image via IMAGO)

Aaron Donald will start for the Rams. Sure, he hasn’t played competitive football in two years, but the Rams are confident the veteran DT has not lost a step. Kyle Shanahan is well aware of the dangers Donald brings to the game. Shanahan said via Matt Lively of CBS Sports:

[I] remember when [Aaron Donald] retired, I didn’t see the alerts and stuff, but I heard people yelling down the hallway cheering. I was like, ‘What the hell’s going on?’ And then, I got it on my phone, and it was probably the most we’ve celebrated in the offseason ever. And then it was the exact opposite this year.

Shanahan teased that he has formulated game plans based on the presence of Donald on the Rams’ defense.

According to the data provided by StatMuse, Aaron Donald recorded 12.5 sacks, 55 solo tackles, 22 assists, and 1 fumble recovery across 18 career games against the 49ers during his first stint with the Rams.

Donald retired following the 2023-24 season. The former 13th overall pick recorded 543 tackles, 111 sacks, 176 TFLs, and 21 pass deflections.

Donald won’t be the only problem the Niners have to deal with. Myles Garrett will pose a similar threat to his veteran teammate. The Rams finalized a trade for Garrett earlier in the year to bring the reigning DPOY to Los Angeles.

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