49ers assistant Staley enjoying escape from the head coaching grind

SANTA CLARA — It’s not that Brandon Staley wanted to stop being a head coach. That decision was made for him when he was fired by the Los Angeles Chargers after 48 games and a 24-24 record.

The onslaught of second-guessing in terms of strategy, tactics and personnel has ceased after joining the 49ers as Kyle Shanahan’s assistant head coach. At 41, Staley is young enough and bright enough to be a head coach again, but he’s enjoying a career reset and reintroducing himself to his favorite part of the profession.