49ers Press Conference: Nolan staying, McCloughan promoted, the earth is still round

by David Fucillo on Jan 2, 2008 4:24 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

I won't say the 49ers press conference was anti-climactic, as much as it was relatively predictable. Jim Hostler was canned (I'm sorry "let go"), Mike Nolan gets another year on the job (or at least a few games barring a big losing streak) and Scot McCloughan is the official general manager. Nothing too stunning.

The best one can do is try and read between the lines. Mike Nolan was allowed to make an attempt to save face at the press conference, or at least he, McCloughan and York all made it seem as though promoting McCloughan to GM and keeping Nolan around were completely unrelated. We all know this is really not the case. At the same time, Nolan seemed to be in good spirits for a man who was professionally neutered. I do believe him when he says he and McCloughan work well together and will be able to continue working together. No matter what the relationship is between a GM and a coach, input is necessary from BOTH parties when it comes to the on-field product. I think this change in their relationship basically means tie goes to McCloughan.

Will this make a difference next year? Well I do think this is more than just a cosmetic change. However, I'm not sure yet what kind of effect this will have on Mike Nolan's in-game management. We all recognize this is an area where he really needs to improve. The use of Madden was mentioned, and while it may have been somewhat of a joke, it's sad to think that this could help Nolan become a better game manager. He has yet to show improvement in the area of timeout usage, personnel on the field and 4th down decisions. While I like to think I know plenty about football, this is one area I can't figure out. Maybe spending less time dealing with free agency and the draft and so forth will allow him to become a better game manager. Then again, maybe not. Some guys just aren't good situational coaches.

Offensive Coordinator
There was some discussion about the next offensive coordinator, but not much. Both Nolan and McCloughan stated this was Nolan's decision to make, although McCloughan did say he'd provide his own input if asked. There is no timetable for hiring an OC, and all Nolan said was that he wanted somebody with NFL experience. So I guess college OCs with no NFL coaching experience are out. I've got a little something I'll be posting later this evening to carry over into tomorrow opening up the OC discussion. I'll be looking at it from a more general view, but we'll get to that in a bit.

In the meantime, I'm curious what you guys think about this shift in power with the 49ers. Will it make a damn bit of difference, especially since it does not involve bringing in new blood? We're dealing with the same people, just shifted around a little bit. Has the front office simply pulled a little 3-card monte on us?

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I don't view it as the worst case scenario

It seems to me that the player personnel isn't the problem, so in that regard, I think McCloughan's promotion to GM isn't a bad thing, and even keeping Nolan is just fine.

Honestly, I think the only real, major problem for this team has been offensively. An offensive coordinator who is experienced and can actually run an offense himself is just what this franchise needs. God bless Hostler for his attempt, it doesn't make him a terrible person or even necessarily a terrible OC. It just means he's not ready to run the offensive show on his own. Or maybe Nolan micromanaged, I don't know. But I do know experience is going to make things better for this team. We'll see, but I don't think we're in as dire straits as the wonderful psycho commentors on sfgate.com would have us believe.

Thinking of giving up sports and taking up heavy drinking.

by Drunken Miller on Jan 2, 2008 4:48 PM PST reply actions

One mystery solved

I heard Matt Maiocco on KNBR after the press conference (I could only listen to about five minutes of Nolan doing his peacock routine before I started getting ill). Matt said that it was McCloughan who wanted Lelie and who went out and got him. Nolan didn't want him, so that's why the guy sat all year.

Maiocco went on to say that, with the exception of Hostler getting axed, nothing really has changed. The Vice President of Player Personnel is now the General Manager but he spent most of his time on the podium telling everyone he was in lockstep with Nolan. If you guys liked this last year you'll love next year.

by Bob In Pacifica on Jan 2, 2008 4:56 PM PST reply actions

What was going to change?

The upgrade from Hostler to Cameron, I believe, would provide a huge impact, both on offense and defense.

Personally I think that was the only coaching change that needed to be made.

Going into the '08 season with Hill at QB and Cameron at OC I'd think the outlook is bright.

by methodrampage on Jan 3, 2008 9:31 AM PST up reply actions

I agree

That the OC (and injuries) was the absolute biggest problem this year and with an offseason to staff at receiver and OL, getting a proper OC will make ALL the difference.

There are still, however, some major question marks about Shaun Hill, especially about Shaun Hill over Alex Smith, and no reason to believe that he'll be the starting QB next year.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 3, 2008 12:36 PM PST up reply actions

Free Agents

There's a lot of free agents this offseason that the 49ers can go after and would potentially really really help.Faneca said he wont take a paycut and resign with the Steelers so i can see him asking for some big money and we will see if 49ers go after him or Snee because both of them are free agents, and too improve this defense having a guy like Albert Haynesworth in the middle and than having Manny Lawson healthy and Patrick Willis in his 2nd year the defense would be great but it's not likely...I think titans will just franchise tag Haynesworth.The question is will York spend the money that is needed like he did last offseason? we'll see.

by rimrock101 @ Niners Nation on Jan 2, 2008 8:13 PM PST reply actions

Hmm

We're in good shape.
Maybe.

Merton Hanks, 'nuff said.

by jtoj on Jan 2, 2008 8:18 PM PST up reply actions

Offseason

Well it's pretty simple. I think that we need to draft a DE,NT, and WR and sign a OG,OT, and OLB. What we really need to do is make a trade with a team like Oakland or Kanas City. Offer them say their 2008 second round pick for our 2008 third round pick and our 2009 second round pick. Something like that would most likely be accepted. For the players: Frank Okam, Mario Maningham, and Queinten Grooves or Lawrence Jackson, although they would be a little undersized for 3-4 DEs. For free agents Alan Faneca is a must. Picking up Sean Lockler as a OT would really help pass protection(although Florzell Adams is a FA, but if we want Faneca, there really would not be much cap room). For OLB, there are tons this year. Lance Briggs, Terell Suggs, Karlos Dansby, Calvin Pace, Demorrio Williams. Picking up one of these guys would be absolutely huge.One alternitive that we could also take is going after Justin Smith, a DE who is perfect for a 3-4 and take the DE we draft and put him at OLB. I am very excitied for the 08 season.

by montasmob69 on Jan 2, 2008 9:33 PM PST reply actions

DE

I think we're done drafting DE, at least for '08. We took two last year; McDonald and Cohen ("but Cohen's a DT", he's probably better suited as a 3-4 DE than a NT) and I think we need to see what either one of these guys can do before using more picks on a position that isn't all that integral to a 3-4.

Also all college DE aren't just interchangable as OLB in a 3-4, you can't draft a guy to play DE and then say, "Hey we signed Justin Smith, throw that DE we took in the draft in at OLB."

by methodrampage on Jan 3, 2008 9:59 AM PST up reply actions