Almost as noteworthy was Jed York's appearance as the "face" of ownership. York, the son of John and Denise, was the first one to the podium to talk. In Singletary's updated bio, Jed York is listed as owner.
York said the 49ers have lacked passion and intensity . . . and a killer instinct to finish off opponents. He pointed out the team's nine-point lead against the Philadelphia Eagles a couple weeks ago that was erased in the fourth quarter.
(All in all, a pretty good showing from Jed York on his first crack in front of the media on such a major announcement. Jed is 27, and turns 28 in March.)
* * *
GM Scot McCloughan took the stage and talked about the difficult time personally and professionally in firing Nolan on Monday. McCloughan and Jed York delivered the news. John York was not in the building, McCloughan said.
"It doesn't all fall on his shoulders," McCloughan said of Nolan. "It was not completely his fault."
As for his own job security, McCloughan said, "My job's on the line every day."
* * *
McCloughan said Nolan's exit from the organization was classy. McCloughan and the Yorks had talked about firing Nolan for several weeks, according to McCloughan. They decided to make the decision yesterday after an ESPN report said Nolan would be fired after the upcoming Seattle game.
McCloughan said he did not believe that report came from anybody in the 49ers organization. (But, of course, who else could have leaked the information? After all, Nolan had not yet been told he was being fired.)
Nolan did not ask to be fired after catching wind of yesterday's ESPN report, McCloughan said.
* * *
Upon being offered the job, Singletary talked with Mike Nolan. He obviously was conflicted about accepting the job to replace the man who brought him to the organization. But Nolan encouraged Singletary to take the job.
"I want you to understand something: I want you to take this job," Nolan told Singletary (according to Singletary). "If you do not take the job, I'd be very disappointed in you as my friend," Nolan said.
* * *
I have not yet spoken to Mike Nolan. Last night, I spoke to his wife Kathy. Mike was spending time with the rest of the family.
* * *
Why wasn't Mike Martz promoted? McCloughan said it was more about what Singletary could do. Also, Martz's undertaking with the offense is enough to keep him fully occupied.
* * *
McCloughan confirmed my report last night that offensive line coach George Warhop has been fired.
* * *
Singletary previously interviewed for four NFL head-coaching jobs. In retrospect, he says he is glad he did not get any of those jobs (Lions, Falcons, Cowboys and Chargers). He said he is ready for this challenge.
He said, in comparison, his job is going to be easy. Mike Nolan did the hard work of building the foundation, Singletary said.
Singletary gave no answers to how he would change things. He said he will be true to himself and do what's in his heart.
Rather than make promises, Singletary asked those watching and listening to continue to watch and make their own observations on how things are different.
* * *
As for the organization's future, Jed York said the 49ers will reassess their operation at the end of the season. Singletary, obviously, will have a chance to become the head coach in 2009.
* * *
And with that . . . Singletary returned upstairs to continue preparations for facing the Seahawks on Sunday.
Singletary met with the coaches last night and the players this morning.
* * *
TV BLACKOUT HEADING THIS WAY?
Vice president of communications Lisa Lang, who said she does not know if this weekend's game will be blacked out. She said she does not have access to those numbers until Wednesday. Then, the team will have to make a decision on Thursday and report to the league.
A league source said the 49ers are in danger of their first blackout since early in the 1981 season.
* * *
It looks like the Leader of the Lucky Reproduction Club is the New Sheriff in Town!! Let's hope the Apple fell a LONG LONG LONG WAY from the TREE!! Get the new stadium Jed and I think you will gain a lot of fan support and distance yourself from your old man's regime!
Wow. Now that is something--with Jed saying that the Niners haven't got the killer instinct. I think that if the Yorks continue to be in control of this organization, this is exactly the kind of ownership we need: decisive, ambitious and vigorous pursuit of victory.
I really hope Singletary succeeds. I'm pulling
for him.
That said, Hall of Fame players rarely make
good coaches but maybe he's different.
@mastahyee
Ummm.. no. The York's don't have the "decisive, ambitious and vigorous pursuit of victory" you claim. By the way all you people who claim firing Nolan is the end-all cure- nothing's going to change unless ownership gets a clue. It starts at the top.
For awhile now I have heard Jed has a passion for the 49ers similar to that of his beloved Uncle. This might be what we have all been waiting for. This is now becoming Jed's team and he can pick his first long term answer for a head coach (if he didn't already this morning - wink wink!)
Glad to see Jed has taken over, and I think what he spoke of regarding the lack of "killer instinct" is dead on...I've been hoping Singletary would be our next HC for a while now, so I'm very eager to find out if I have any sort of expertise on this matter :)
This is an intresting signing considering Singaltary is a Nolan guy and has the same doing the same desings and schemes since they were in baltimore together. Usually you like to bring in a new mindset. This is a critcal strecth for the niners with theree consecutive games against division oppenents. If there niners have any chance of salvaging this season theyll need to run the table the next four weeks to get back to .500 abd get back into the divison race. If not were headed for another 4-12 season
I think the bigger news out of this press conference is that John York has finally done what we all wanted. He has given the team up to someone who at least seems devoted to the team. From everything I have read, Jed takes this stuff seriously and regularly talks to his uncle. This is better news than Nolan getting fired.
It's really too bad Nolan wasn't as good as a coach as he is as a person.
BHF - he's been an EXCELLENT LB coach / Assistant HC, I don't really see why he won't make a good HC. Particularly with the system that's currently in place.
Hello and thanks for taking my call...
Fellas..forgive me if there is any Chick fans of the blog.
I would be good if you all did an internet search on the Bill Walsh Mike Singletary relationship.
It could ease your brains a little and this just could be a very very good think. Of course I am a eternal optimist, but I believe in great people who walk the walk and talk the talk. Bill Walsh certainly did and Mr Singletary certainly did.
Before you go off and call me nuts. Do some research on this man of men known as Mike Singletary
I watched the press conference and I think there is some hope.
First off, I wouldn't expect that there will too many changes this week. There just isn't time. But I did enjoy Singletary's comments about whether the defense would be passive. When he said that things would not change I began to worry. But then he talked about not blitzing willy-nilly and got a look in his eye when he said that the defense wouldn't be passive, just wait and see. I'm waiting to see.
No one knows for sure what changes he will make. I suspect that he doesn't even know at this point. My guess is that he will turn up the intensity, particularly on the defense. I'm just wondering how much influence he will have on the offense.
It is interesting that Jed York is now the "face" of the team. I hope that he inherited some of his uncle's fire.
The thing that stood out for me was how nervous McCloughan was. He's not comfortable in front of a group, is he? He was a mess. He almost forgot to introduce Sigletary. Shows how green he really is.
I like Singletary and will give him a fair chance the rest of the year. Honestly I don't know what will change. We still have the same personnel and the same coaching schemes. The major problem is long term. We still don't have a QB, receivers, and a good D line. Our O line is still the craps. However he will bring integrity & passion, which can accomplish much.
But why did the niners pull the plug now? Blackout! No one in the press talks about the lack of season tickets sales. Once you start down that Blackout trail its a long way back and you become a laughing stock. Sorry No Mas Yorks.
Jed may be a nice young man but he does not deserve to be the Head of that Operation. Give me a break Bill Walsh told Radnich in 2003 the Yorks were poor owners, Dikta said it last night again, the problem in SF is the owners. Singletary may be the man, I hope he does well.
So what you're saying is the game may be blacked out this weekend? MMMmmm. does this also mean for folks (like Myself) that have the Football Package?
The thing I'd really like to know is, whose decision was it to fire Warhop? Nobody has said. Was it Jed's? Singletary's? McClueless'? If that decision came from Singletary, I am impressed right off the bat. Likewise if Jed York made that call. Kind of like when Eddie D canned Trestman, "He's gone."
I'm with 'OMG!! Ponies!' - The owners (including Jed) are all a bunch of idiots. Bottom line is that since the Yorks took over we have had idiots hiring idiots, who hire idiots who sign & draft idiots. We've had 2 exceptions in Gore & Willis, but other then that everyone or everything to do with the 49ers has been a waste since those goofballs came into ownership. It's not going to change until they sell the team.
Jeff - From my understanding if you live in an area that is considered local (i.e. anywhere in the Bay Area) and the game is blacked out. Then it will be blacked out no matter what, even if you have the NFL Sunday Ticket package.
I am concerned . . . who is going to coach the Senior Bowl this year?
This is how it starts. Next thing you know they'll be asking Nedney to kick 76-yard field goals, and firing head coaches via overhead projector.
Nolan's best season was less Norv's tutelage of Smith and more a healthy, competent OLine. Compare sacks in 2006 vs. rest of the Nolan era. Gore sets the franchise mark. This group has failed (Warhop or not), largely on the chronic absences, injuries, penalties, stumbles, and excuses of highly touted Jennings, Snyder, and Baas. Those guys are collecting FAT checks and haven't done better than garbage pile additions like Tony Wragge. Maybe Coach Singletary can light a fire with the OLine.
Singletary was right when he said that Noloan has already done the hard work of amassing talent (he and Scotty Mc). Compare the talent on this team to the team of 2005-2005, its not even close. But it was painfully obvious that Nolan had no clue how to manage and use his new found talent. Hopfully Singletary will succeed in this aspect. We all know what a great motivator and natural leader he is, and he will command respect from the players. Also, he will let Greg Manusky run the defense, game planning and play calling wise. We will now see an agressive style played on "D", kinda like how San Diego's "D" when Manusky was there. Another thing to look for is a shuffle along the "O" line. Warhop is gone and that should make a difference, probably not a huge difference, but some.
The firing of Warhop might be the change that brings the most immediate results to the team. If the O-line can get it done then this offense rocks and everybody will be talking about how lucky we are to have JT. The defense can and will attack, attack, attack because the 'Umbrella of Caution' under Nolan will be smashed into pieces.
The logical place for Singletary to have an immediate impact is on the defensive game plan for the Seahawks game. A small irony that the Niner defense played well for maybe the first time this year against the Giants. But anyway, we will all be watching the defense especially for signs of change.
Anyone know the status of the contract Pete Carrol has with USC? I realize he ALWAYS gets associated with NFL coaching vacancies, but Bill Walsh disciples always have priority within the 49er family.
It's an interesting topic to discuss, along with Holmgren and Billick perhaps?
If Jed is the next coming of Eddie D, this will make for interesting stretch to the offseason as personnel posturing begins to select sides.