I just landed at SFO and was greeted by about 20 voicemails. I had a suspicion that something was going on.
And, yes, I just confirmed it. Mike Nolan was fired this afternoon as head coach of the 49ers. Mike Singletary is the choice to take over for him to finish out the season. The sides are currently working on the deal.
Singletary was conflicted about taking the job, but he spoke with Nolan spoke this afternoon and Nolan eased his concerns about accepting the interim job.
Also, the 49ers have fired offensive line coach George Warhop. Assistant offensive line coach Chris Foerster will take over as offensive line coach.
Nolan compiled a 18-37 record as head coach after taking over in 2005.
The 49ers hired Nolan on Jan. 19, 2005 -- 37 years to the day that his father, Dick, was hired as head coach of the 49ers. Dick Nolan won three straight NFC West division titles with the 49ers.
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Singletary will get his chance after interviewing for four NFL head-coaching positions in the past three years. He did not get an interview for a job this past offseason. Singletary was also a leading candidate for the coaching job at his alma mater, Baylor, before pulling his name out of the running.
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Singletary met with his assistant coaches at around 6 p.m. this evening. He stressed that the coaches have to devote all their attention to getting ready for the coming game against the Seahawks.
"It's a hard deal," one 49ers assistant coach said. "The last 3-and-a-half years there was a whole lot of work put into this. Unfortunately, this is part of the game."
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Wow, Warhop gone too? I wonder if that was Singletary's call. Glad to see this...I like Nolan as a person, but not as the head coach of my favorite football team. II know that the players will at least respect Singletary.
And there he is, almost had us worried there Matt. And now I can officially believe that the news is true. Thanks for the Warhop news.
What changes do you think Singletary will make? Any scheme changes or starters that might lose/gain a job?
Wow, I thought Martz would get the interim gig. He's kind of quirky but I think he's more qualified. If Singletary isn't permanent, the Niners should try and find a coach that doubles as an offensive coordinator; someone like Gruden, Shanahan, etc...
I know everyone here likes to hate on Nolan, and I think the niners are better off without him in their future, but lets not forget the difference in talent between now and when nolan took over. I don't think he would ever have gotten over that final hump to win a superbowl but we have to thank him for bringing us something that seemed so lost a mere three and a half years ago: hope.
That would definitely avoid the high turnover of Offensive Coordinators in recent years!
Matt, you're supposed to be on top of this stuff.....(joke)
Starting to love Mike Singletary more and more especially if it was Singletary that finally made the move to fire George Warhop. I see Singletary finishing out the season if he approves, or at least the team be competive and at least pull to at least a 7-9 record then I see him coming back. Then I see him bringing in his own staff. Meaning don't be surprised if he brings in Ron Rivera former DC and Cal bear guy to run the defense!!!
Matt - I'd love your thoughts on the move, and what it means for the organization beyond this season.
Also, on side note, I have to assume you would've gotten this story if you weren't on a plane... are you a bit pissed the 49ers didn't contact you? Personally, I'd like to get all breaking news from you - as my trusted 49er insider.
Saw you on ESPN this morning. Thought you were on the plane coming home. At least you didn't have to listen to Nolan's excuses again.
I think it was also a big signal to Martz, you won't be head coach.
Hey Matt,
Any word on the contract that is pending for Singletary? Is it for the remainder of the Season? Also, regarding Tom Rathman, what is ur take as him as a future head coach in general?
Matt, since I'm sure you are well rested and have nothing else to do, please provide an immediate and complete analysis of how this deal went down, what it will mean for our win-loss record this year and next, what the implications for the offense/offensive coordinator are, and the exact score of our victory over Seattle next weekend. We are all waiting anxiously, having been deprived of MM in-put for several hours that seemed like weeks!
Warhop fired! Yay!!!!!!!!!!! This confirms what we all know...that the source of the team's problems on offense is the O-line.
This Defense and this team is going to be fired up to play this weekend.
MM - I'd love a more detailed take from you, but word is that Jed did this with Scot and both Denise and John York were not even in Santa Clara. I think this is VERY telling about Jed's increasing roll and this could be the exact moment that the baton has passed officially over to Jed as the Owner in charge. As a fan, I hear good things about Jed and his vision and passion for the team. Jed's confirmed that Mike Singlterry will be considered at the end of the year for the job long term, he would not discuss any other candidates at this time. Let's hope he grows into this roll and channels as much of his Uncle's passion as people has reported he has for the 49ers.
Matt, I posted the following question for you from your earlier thread:
"It would be great if you could ask Singletary what he will do to make sure that the Bill Walsh philosophy of "beating the other man to the punch" will be taught and implemented if it is not already (it does not appear to be). I'm sure he will know exactly what you mean." Hopefully you think this is a good one to ask.
In fact, there are so many Bill Walsh-ism things out there that the first thing Singletary should read is any book written about Bill Walsh.
"Mike Singletary is a dynamic leader," Jed York said. "He gives us a spark and charisma that we've lacked a little bit this season. He has the respect of all the players and coaches."
Ding dong the witch is dead!
Matt, do you think this is a semi-official audition for Singletary and that he has a real chance to get the job at season's end or is the schedule just going to be played out with a whole new direction in January? I know Singletary's supposedly been in the running for several jobs in the last few years and is this the Yorks seeing what he can do (since Martz is a known commodity) or would you expect management to sweep the entire Nolan regime out at the end of the year and build from scratch?
I suggest we all hold hands and pray to the football god for a solid performance and a win against Seattle. And not for the sake of the fans-- After the last 4 games and this upheaval, the team needs a lift and a sense of positive direction.
Nolan was the scapegoat, and perhaps rightfully so...but your point is a valid one. This roster is light years ahead of where it was when he took over.
Pretty eventful East Coast trip this time around huh Matt?
Can't say I'm disappointed, this needed to be done,
and if Jed pulled the trigger, kudos to him!
The Oline move was a no brainer and I'd like to see Singletary given the option to restructure the staff to his liking also. He's a fiery guy, he's one of the best to play the LB position and has a star pupil eager to learn. The schemes have been too predictable and I'm all for giving Mike the shot while there's time to make an impact.
I sent you some pix from the tailgate, feel free to post them if you'd like, we 9ers fans can now move forward with some new found direction.
Time for some OL QB protection and DL QB pressure packages.
Singletary used to fly in from Chicago, have dinner with Walsh and fly home. I read he took very good notes. When he decided he wanted to be a coach he picked Walsh as the coach to mentor him. He also said that Walsh's offense was fairly basic, which I've always agreed with. I'm glad Singletary agrees with that because that should mean he has broken it down to fundamentals, just like Walsh did. It is possible this guy will be a great coach. We shall see, I love the decision.
Hey Matt, did you get my voicemail? WOw, I forgot you were still flying back from New Jersey...or did you take off from JFK's NY area.
I want everybody to know that I'm through rooting for the opposition as Nolan is gone. I'll stop behaving like an A hole.
I hope we beat Seattle, and that Mike Holmgren comes along as a possible GM for us! It's time to break down the Nolan wall!
Boot the SUit, yeah!
Check your email Berger, Boot The Suit protest pictures from the Meadowlands included.
Looking forward to some LB mayhem packages hopefully?
Justin Smith as Merriman would be an excellent task for Mr Manusky.
Oh my god, he fired Warhop too? Oh man, this is too freaking much and I love it! If only he Sacked that piece of garbage Sullivan for not giving us a #1 WR. Oh well, maybe Sully will be gone by end of season, but sacking Warhop too is PRICELESS! Man, that's about as good as dumping one overstuffed dumpster right now. The stench is finally starting to clear around SF and I'm lovin' it.
Hey Marc, send me something on my email on boot the suit. Maybe your messages got to Jed York, NEVER KNOW!
I had the pleasure of a visit from Matt Maiocco at the tailgate I attended and Matt Barrows was with him. I drew plenty of attention from all the Giants fans of course because I was the only 9er Die Hard with a car engulfed with protest signs.
I'll see if there's a way to exchange an email address with you, I don't want it posted here.
Perhaps Matt can post the picture(s) here for us?
Understandable. Matt, can you try to post the pictures? I'm in agreement of not posting Email addresses due to you know a few overzealous fans, and I put it loosely.
That must've been neat to pull up in the opposing stadium in your 49ers mobil with protest signs, but I'm sure NY fans should've agreed for they had Coughlin on the chop block last year, and going 0 and 2 NEARLY sealed it had he not WON games. See, WINNING games saves your job for it's, as KNBR would say, ball security. Ball security.
The Suit booted, Warhop gone, if only Sullivan the WR coach was sacked too, but hey, 2 out of 3 is NOT BAD! Makes liquor go down smooth if I was a drinker.
KNBR has 45 minutes waiting on this, and they're trying to round up guests. Marc, knbr.com has streamline if you want to ,listen to it. That's knbr.com listen to the stuff streamline if you don't have work in your region.
Matt I'm kind of curious as to why Singletary was hesitant to except the job do you have a hunch. Was it becase he felt like he was betraying Nolan or was it because he was afraid he would get let go after the season in favor of another head coach then be forced to find another team?