San Francisco 49ers Fire Head Coach Mike Nolan

by Fooch on Oct 20, 2008 5:23 PM PDT in News Comment 62 comments

No link yet. Breaking news on ESPN.com reports Mike Nolan has been fired this evening. No immediate word on his successor yet. MUCH more to follow on this huge news.

Also the Jay Glazer link here: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8700048/49ers-make-Nolan-latest-coaching-casualty

Barrows joins in the confirmation.

Mike Singletary has been named head coach and it sounds like more than an interim job as they're working on a new contract for him.

EDITOR'S UPDATE 6:53PM: John Clayton gives his thoughts on Mike Singletary -- a calculated gamble.

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Good Deal

Doing it a week early would have been very stupid

I see the future, and it is Pablo

by CB30 on Oct 20, 2008 5:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I look forward to some defensive changes this Sunday.

by TexanNiner on Oct 20, 2008 5:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

well

at least we get decent coaching now.

by warriorfan4life on Oct 20, 2008 5:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How so? We have no idea what we get now.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 20, 2008 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Singletary

Could blow up, could work out…I don’t think anybody could accurately predict the future now without getting really lucky.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Oct 20, 2008 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But I’m sure glad we’re going to find out this season and not next season. If Singletary shows promise, good, if not, then we have the off season to hire Bill Cowher or someone else. No matter what, this is the best day of the whole season so far.

-- Jay T.

by jaytierney on Oct 20, 2008 5:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Glazer thinks Singletary is our defensive coordinator

i would post something on their site, but i don’t want to register for that.

by the evil monkey on Oct 20, 2008 5:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Singletary

I said it in a blog a week ago. Hopefully this is the spark. Nolan just was a has been. Good guy, the team just underperformed under his coaching.

by zonedogs on Oct 20, 2008 5:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess that’s fine. But its not like things will be much different with Singletary as head coach. He already has a mess of say, and the only way true change will come through is if we bring someone in from the outside.

by Ninjames on Oct 20, 2008 5:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

List of names?

by zonedogs on Oct 20, 2008 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno. Bill Cowher off the top of my head.

by Ninjames on Oct 20, 2008 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Off the top of everybody’s head, apparently.

He’s probably the least likely candidate at this point, though.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Oct 20, 2008 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

because of money? or because he’s likely to an offer from a better situation (i.e. Dallas)?

by sam23 on Oct 20, 2008 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

From what I recall, he’s dealing with a lot of family issues. I mean, correct me if I’m wrong.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Oct 20, 2008 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see it as unlikely simply because he doesn’t want to move out to San Fran.

by Ninjames on Oct 20, 2008 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is probably the biggest...

… issue. He’s getting up there in years and it’s highly unlikely he’d want to uproot himself to coach out here.

by sfgfan on Oct 21, 2008 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lane kiffin...

…dude got a raw deal in OAK, and he’s a run-first pro-style offense guy

by Florida Danny on Oct 20, 2008 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not a chance!

There’s no way we hire for the long term an unproven coach again, I think that’s a mistake they shouldn’t and wouldn’t make.

Lane Kiffin is IMO one of the most overrated coaches in recent history. He was a CO-Defensive coordinator at a stacked USC with Reggie Bush and give me a break, anyone could really win with those offensive weapons. There’s not a ton personnel wise that we have over the raiders and while I think we’re better than them I honestly can’t see a huge difference between the two teams.

The 49ers would do the fan’s a disservice to not interview the best possible coaches for the job and I surely hope Kiffin doesn’t excite our front office like he did with the Raiders, hopefully we know better.

by iairj84 on Oct 20, 2008 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey! Another Ninja!!

Kick ass!

"We'd like to think that tickets will be hard to come by." Bill Walsh

by TripTheNinja on Oct 20, 2008 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Represent.

by Ninjames on Oct 20, 2008 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nolan

was a great person, met him in training camp couple years ago, he just aint good enough to be a head coach. good luck to him in his future jobs, remember he lost his dad almost a year ago, and welcome mike singletary, rev this defense up!

by Dub4lif3 on Oct 20, 2008 5:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I heard Kawakami on KNBR this afternoon.

This was before the news broke. When speculating on who’d be a logical choice, he leaned towards Martz, but not necessarily as a permanent replacement. His knock against Singletary is that he is Nolan’s right-hand man and from where the reporters see things, there isn’t all that much difference between the two.

Maiocco, discussing things earlier, said that if they replaced Nolan they should go with an offensive guy because they’ve had a new O coordinator every year for six or seven years now. Putting an O guy in charge of the whole operation would establish some continuity.

Of course, after this year I don’t know how much in demand Martz is going to be, even in SF.

I worry, though, about signing Singletary to a long-term contract until we know what we have. Then again, it’s the York’s money.

Right now I just hope that the Niners show something more than they have this year. Going into the game against Seattle might be the best move. If anyone saw them last night against Tampa Bay, they are so beaten down and injured that the Niners should at least win this one and then go into the bye.

by Bob On The Coast on Oct 20, 2008 5:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Interem makes the most sense.

You don’t marry a girl on the first date, do you?

"We'd like to think that tickets will be hard to come by." Bill Walsh

by TripTheNinja on Oct 20, 2008 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Martz? Just another thing that Kawakai and I disagree about.

And since I’m disagreeing with Tim Kawakami, I’m going to assume that my opinion is right.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Oct 20, 2008 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not that I agree with Kawakami all the time either

but in his defense he didn’t sound like he thought Martz was a great choice, just that it was the best of what was available on the staff.

Myself, I hope that Singletary turns things around and if he succeeds I hope he gets an offensive coordinator that better uses his talent. Martz’s strategy of seven-step drops and deep patterns with the way our O line has played isn’t helping.

by Bob On The Coast on Oct 20, 2008 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maiocco

In his thoughts from last night before going to bed, he made it sound like Singletary is a lame-duck interim coach. Maiocco is almost convinced the 49ers will look toward an offensive-minded head coach in the offseason. If that is the case, what motivation does Singletary have to try to right the ship here?

Basically, I’m agreeing with the “there’s little difference between the two” mantra. Except, I don’t mean it in the sense that the two men are so similar. I just think that the results probably will be.

by sfgfan on Oct 21, 2008 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

motivation

If he does a solid job in the remaining 9 weeks it makes him more attractive for other coaching openings. If he can turn this mess around even a little bit it certainly gives a boost to his resume.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Oct 21, 2008 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crap, NOW how will Seattle win this week?

Haha, Nolan needed to be fired, glad this happened.

See Seattle? It’s okay to get rid of personnel midseason!

Signature? SIGNATURE?! Don't talk about SIGNATURE! I just hope I can write a sentence!

by SSreporters on Oct 20, 2008 5:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Lets all take SF's lead.....

by collyb on Oct 22, 2008 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Long term contract for singletary is the most interesting thing about this imo

by sam23 on Oct 20, 2008 5:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting

but not necessarily the right move.

I hope so, though.

by Bob On The Coast on Oct 20, 2008 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea exactly. I’d rather name him interim for now, consider all the options including Singletary in the offseason. I am very relieved its Singletary and not Martz though.

by sam23 on Oct 20, 2008 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I reckon the Yorks would like to name him as an interim also, but think Singletary would refuse that. I think Singletary has said he will be HC only on permanent basis or he’s off, and maybe the Yorks panicked, didn’t want to lose him so have agreed to sign him up as HC.

by Ninerfromacrossthepond on Oct 20, 2008 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

intimidation factor

We might have an edge and excitement now and mix it up!!!!! Go Niners!!!!

by zonedogs on Oct 20, 2008 5:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Singletary shuld go out there in his Bears Jersey on Sunday...

He’ll HAVE to have that look in his eyes like he’ss going to rip Jim Kelly in two. Seattle will run and we win by forfeit.

"We'd like to think that tickets will be hard to come by." Bill Walsh

by TripTheNinja on Oct 20, 2008 6:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

about time

but handled all wrong

http://mvn.com/miningthegoldrush/2008/10/breaking-news-49ers-fire-mike.html

Formerly known as phutmasterflex

by PHUT! on Oct 20, 2008 6:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The Razor and Mr. T

…are having a decent discussion on possible replacements. The list is…
Cowher
Pete Carroll
Charlie Weis (they said he’d be mentioned, but wouldn’t understand who’d want to hire him)
Holmgren
Brian Billick
Martz

by RobbieS on Oct 20, 2008 6:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And the Mike Nolan Show has been cancelled

…to be replaced by Parag Marathe on Murph and Mac? WTF?

by RobbieS on Oct 20, 2008 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think they were being facetious

… comment was made because during the preceding break, they played a (recorded) bump for the Murph and Mac show promoting the weekly Mike Nolan segment (which seemed to then get cut-off).

by calgbear on Oct 20, 2008 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aha

I figured as much, but then they followed it with the “it would be funny if it wasn’t so sad”, so I wasn’t sure how serious they were. I guess they were referring to the situation as a whole.

by RobbieS on Oct 20, 2008 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bout ******* Time

Now if York would step down things would be great

by drink409 on Oct 20, 2008 6:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

hey fooch...

…any chance my press conference breakdown played a role??? ;-)

by Florida Danny on Oct 20, 2008 6:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Definitely

A combination of your piece and my vote of no-confidence on behalf of the site.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Oct 20, 2008 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

moral of the story...

…do not upset niners nation!

by Florida Danny on Oct 20, 2008 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, I said fire Nolan too

at SF Gate this a.m. I know that the Yorks scan the comments sections over there for advice.

by Bob On The Coast on Oct 20, 2008 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just curious.

Not to dig up last year’s posts or anything, but you wouldn’t happen to be “Bob in Pacifica,” would you?

by sfgfan on Oct 21, 2008 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Runner Up Trophy to me!

For having the first comment on Danny’s post. Just kidding, I don’t play the ‘1st comment’ BS but I’ll take this trophy home.

"We'd like to think that tickets will be hard to come by." Bill Walsh

by TripTheNinja on Oct 20, 2008 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Holmgren next year

Hey Fooch any Merit in Holmgren at GM>?

by zonedogs on Oct 20, 2008 6:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

interesting

Let me think that over.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Oct 20, 2008 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My first thought

was that would be a good move. Then I went and looked at the draft record for the 4 years that Holmgren was the GM in Seattle. Out of 34 picks, they really only hit on 6-Shaun Alexander, Darrell Jackson, Steve Hutchinson, Ken Lucas, Floyd Womack, and Rocky Bernard. Antonio Cochran could be on the bubble here as well I suppose, he did have a couple of good years.

The downside of this is that the Seahawks whiffed on the following first round picks:

1999- #22 Lamar King DE (could have had Antoine Winfield, Patrick Kerney, Al Wilson)
2000- #22 Chris McIntosh OT (could have had Chris Hovan, Keith Bulluck)
2001- #9 Koren Robinson WR (could have had Marcus Stroud, Santana Moss)
2002- #28 Jerramy Stevens TE (could have had Marc Colombo, Josh Reed, Andre Gurode)

That’s 2 out 6 first rounders that ended up as good picks-not a good return. I realize we’ve had first round picks not pan out in the Nolan era(Smith and Davis), but I guess my thought is we don’t want to repeat those mistakes, and I’m not sure the Holmgren is the guy to right that ship so to speak. I would greatly prefer to see us hire a bona fide personnel man like a Ron Wolf(would he take the job?) or Scott Pioli, instead of a coach turned unsuccessful GM like Holmgren. I know that Mike has the SF roots and all, but I don’t know that he’s the guy to be making personnel decisions.

As for Singletary as the HC, I hope this works out. I’d hate to see us waste more time getting things on the right track.

"So's your mom"-David Sloane

by gatling on Oct 20, 2008 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think..

… the 49ers have any plans on firing McCloughan. If that were the case, they could have fired him along with Nolan, instead of making him the voice of the Nolan firing.

by sfgfan on Oct 21, 2008 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I do believe I’m excited. Any change that could bring an end to the nightmare is a good change.

by Cruithear on Oct 20, 2008 6:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Does this mean that the Mens Warehouse

will be seeking federal financial protection?!?!?

by pfzilla on Oct 20, 2008 7:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I did a hyphy jig

and screamed at the top of my lungs when i saw the linkage.

MURS for President!!!!!!!

by jtoj on Oct 20, 2008 8:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Crazy

The crazy thing is that I’m a Clemson fan here in california as well as a HUGE niners fan and to have both of my teams fire their coaches exactly one week apart, mid season is kind of crazy for me!

by iairj84 on Oct 20, 2008 10:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m moving to Seneca/Clemson this week. Any suggestions? I am truly bored tonight, sorry folks for all the posts.

"We'd like to think that tickets will be hard to come by." Bill Walsh

by TripTheNinja on Oct 20, 2008 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to much as far as suggestions, I’ve only actually been there once and it was only for a weekend for a FSU game. The college football experience there is second to none, just don’t get wrapped up in the USuCk garbage (university of south carolina) the fans are truly something else….

I can only reccomend visiting death valley and memorial stadium for a football game, this year the Tigers have been sub par but the interim coach has infused a lot of passion into the team as well as the fan base, death valley is rocking with 85,000+ The only two home games left are Duke and USC (they call themselves USC not the real USC.) and you’re only real option there is the duke game. USC is one of the biggest rivalrys in college and you would be lucky to pay $300 a ticket for that game.

Good luck! Its a great area! :D

by iairj84 on Oct 20, 2008 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ouch, It looks Like McLoughan had to do it.

Barrows reports-
10:15 p.m. — Six hours after the first report that Nolan has been fired, the 49ers issue a statement: “This decision was difficult because Mike has been both a friend and valued coach of our team.” said GM Scot McCloughan. “I have a great deal of respect for Mike and his family. But my first obligation is always to do what is in the best interest of our fans and the entire 49ers organization. It is for this reason that we’ve made the decision to give the head coaching role to Mike Singletary. I am confident that Mike Singletary’s leadership ability along with his experience as both a Hall of Fame player and coach gives him the ability to turn our season around.”

"We'd like to think that tickets will be hard to come by." Bill Walsh

by TripTheNinja on Oct 20, 2008 10:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

ABOUT TIME!!

I feel like a Munchkin after Dorothy’s house falls on the Wicked Witch of the East.

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on Oct 20, 2008 10:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wow

When Singletary was a player, everyone figured he eventually would become a great head coach. Now he has nine games to prove whether those observations were right.

John Clayton being John “Melodrama” Clayton. Is he really expected to fully prove/disprove his supporters/detractors for forever in nine games with a broken and pretty shitty team?

Mischievously implosive purple pitching staff.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Oct 20, 2008 11:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs