Team president Jed York made the announcement to the team shortly after the 49ers' 27-24 victory over the Redskins on Sunday. There was already euphoria in the locker room, and the players erupted with cheers after they were told that Singletary would be the coach.
"I think all the guys who are happy today are going to regret it," Singletary quipped.
Singletary is known as a straight-talking taskmaster who works his players hard. The 49ers better get prepared for a long offseason of work and a grueling training camp.
"This is the last time our season ends in December,"
Joe Nedney, who kicked the winning 39-yard field goal on the game's final play, said the announcement caught nobody by surprise. He was asked what it would've been like if Singletary has been passed over for the job.
"I don't even want to comment on that because I knew it wasn't going to happen," Nedney said. "He's honest, intense and forthright. You have to have those qualities to bring together the chemistry of a team."
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The Press Democrat has learned Singletary's contract is four years, $10 million. In the contract he has the right to hire and fire his assistant coaches.
Singletary did not say whether he plans to retain offensive coordinator Mike Martz. When asked if he has made a decision, Singletary said, "No, not 100 percent."
All the team's assistant coaches are signed through the 2009 season.
Singletary said he would meet with general manager Scot McCloughan to discuss what he wants to do with Martz, who presided over a significant improvement in the team's offense this season.
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The team has made not commitment to quarterback Shaun Hill, who compiled a 5-3 record as the starter this season. In his career, Hill's record as a starter is 7-3.
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McCloughan said the decision to hire Singletary was made prior to the game and would've been announced regardless of whether the 49ers won Sunday's season finale. He said there was nothing in particular that led to the hiring, but rather the "body of work."
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Woooooooo Hooooooo!!!! Playoffs baby!
Matt,
Love the blog! This is great news!
Can't wait for training camp!
Already looking forward to next season.
Cant Martz and Singletary work together I like the direction of the offence lets keep it rolling
Congrats Singletary, you've earned it!!
The Niners will win the West in '09!! In Singletary We Trust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zY8bSzCV3Y
This is a Great day for the 49er Organization. Wait and see, this move alone will attract some high quality Free Agents. Well done Coach Singletary
Way to go Jed, you are showing the pedigree of your uncle Eddie D!
When asked if he has made a decision, Singletary said, "No, not 100 percent.".....Martz is gone. Wonder who Singletary has in mind for the new OC.
Please take off the rose colored glasses! Two years ago the 49ers finished 7-9 by winning in Denver and knocking the Broncoes out of the play-offs. The fans had the same proclamation, "Can't wait till next year!". Last year was 5-9. Why is now different? The 49ers are still the same flawed organization they were any of the last nine years under the Yorks. Where is Lucky Sperm Jed qualified at 27, with no football experience besides being a fan, to be president of an NFL franchise? This is not fantasy camp! We all saw what an incompetent lucky sperm who was handed the White House did to our country over the last eight years. McCloughan has not shown to be a great talent evaluator. He needs a more seasoned person above him. P. Marathe, give me a break. Singletary is a quality person, but not the sharp Xs and Os guy that can succeed with the afore mentioned three stooges above him. Hill at QB, is a very good back-up with a noodle arm, who defensive coordinators will be salivating to scheme against. Even with the watered down parity of the NFL, this is a team that with a harder schedule will be somewhere between 4-12 and 8-8 next year. Have the Yorks set the bar so low that we find this acceptable? DO NOT RENEW SEASON TICKETS!!!!!!!
Let's not forget that this team was essentially two yards at Arizona from winning the NFC West this season. The expectations next year (with a very difficult schedule) will be sky high.
For a moment, I thought the 49ers have just won the SuperBowl with Joe Nedney's last seconds field goal! The image of Singletary, with the Lombardi trophy on his hand, got a hug from John Jork. I looked through the windows and see if there were still fireworks at Candlestick... I then came back with the reality that the Niners has just fished the season with 7 and 9 record. I turned on the radio, the guys on KNBR were so excited. The media hype reminds me of the day Obama won the Presidency. I can't help but maintain the skepticism. A bad coach usually lasts at least 3-4 years. Life is short. How many years can we endure the pain of watching the Niners failure over and over again? I pray that the Niners don't have to get another new coach in 2011! May Singletary be the final answer for the Niners!
Montana-to-Rice = Darren.
Nice try troll.
I think a bit of healthy skepticism is good. But I also think in the past several weeks Singletary has shown he may be the guy to get us back to the playoffs fairly quickly. Yes, Nolan had good late season runs, but the way the team played -- the effort, the improved finishes, etc -- I feel good about next year. The team has several holes to address, so let no one be fooled into thinking this team is suddenly going to be the Titans, Giants or Panthers next year. But a winning record seems within reach, and that would be just enough to win the division, given the poor quality of the competition. So congrats to Coach Singletary. You've got your work cut out for you, but I think you'll do well.
Coach is the Man who makes everyone better. Good play today from O Line. Now is there any doubt whose in Charge? Samurai Mike!
There have been few exceptions in football.
Skinny legs and 185 lbs from western Penn, Small and short and can’t stuff the run.
The absolute fiercest of competitors. and the one who brings out the best of people around you.
When you have somebody that can motivate somebody like Ronnie Lott, and have the whole world says you can’t, over and over again.
When you come to work on Sundays and it’s about team and not ego. When you listen and go out of your way to understand what it takes to lead men in the game of football. When everybody says you can’t and then you DO!! There are two people I think about and they both listened and studied and admired one man when it came to football. They both were always told they couldn’t but yet they did. Somebody that fly’s 2500 miles to spend 2 hours with somebody to learn the nuances of coaching and organization is not a fluke. Both small and given no chance of succeeding both from football factory’s. Both who on the field played against each other…I only compare Montana and Singletary for one reason, they both were told they couldn’t and have. They both listen to the late and truly great Bill Walsh and both those men are very exceptional in everything they do.
Anybody can look through rose colored glasses. But very few see greatness. Montana-to-Rice I am sure is a very passionate 49er fan and you have to love that about him. It is so very easy to see the negatives. However, for me I like my chances with Coach Sing, because Coach Walsh would say so.
First off, congratulations to Singletary for the Head Coaching gig. He's earned it.
Nonetheless, I'd rather wait to see what next season brings, rather than to expect great things right away; from experience, I've learned that changes often lead to growing pains, and those growing pains could occur in the next season, even though I'd be much happier if they don't ever occur.
To Montana-to-Rice: Jed York's no more a "lucky sperm" than you are, so I fail to see how you calling him that validates any kind of argument; both you and him were conceived of a single, relatively random, sperm out of untold millions, so how calling him out as one proves any kind of point is beyond me. Care to enlighten me?
Great move? You bet! But lets remember that this is just step #1 of about 199 that this team needs to make over the next few months. Who will be the offensive co-ordinator? Is Shaun Hill the answer at QB? Is Snyder the answer at RT? Is Morgan and Hill the reciever tandem of the future? Which areas will we address in free agency and which areas will we address in the draft? The 3 positions on defense that could stand improvement are free safety, NT, and rush linebacker. How will we address these areas? This is going to be one heck of a ride!!!
While I know these things seem very different when the future becomes present, next year's schedule LOOKS easier, not harder. The AFC South is strong, but very comparable to the AFC East. The NFC North is significantly weaker than the NFC East. Take a look at the combined win-loss records for this year's teams vs. next year's - when the Buffalo Bills are the worst opponent you play outside your division (besides the Saints/Lions outliers - I don't know who next season's two outliers will be), I don't think you had a particularly easy schedule. The statement that next year's schedule will be harder is at least somewhat questionable.
Here were my preseason predictions, along with how they turned out. I was dead-on before the season (as Mike in Glendale) with the 7-9 record, although I missed a couple of games here and there. I figured they'd be either 3-5 or 2-6 at the break, and that Nolan could be fired for a bad start (and therefore miss out when the schedule lightened significantly in the second half).
Niners vs. Arizona - Predicted W (Actually L)
Niners at Seattle - Predicted L (Actually W - I predicted they'd beat the Seahawks at home instead of on the road)
Niners vs. Detroit - Predicted W (Actually W)
Niners at New Orleans - Predicted L (Actually L)
Niners vs. New England - Predicted L (Actually L)
Niners vs. Philadelphia - Predicted L (Actually L)
Niners at New York Giants - Predicted L (Actually L)
Niners vs. Seattle - Predicted W (Actually W - see previous Seattle game)
Niners at Arizona - Predicted L (Actually L)
Niners vs. St. Louis - Predicted W (Actually W)
Niners at Dallas - Predicted L (Actually L)
Niners at Buffalo - Predicted W (Actually W)
Niners vs. New York Jets - Predicted L (Actually W)
Niners at Miami - Predicted W (Actually L)
Niners at St. Louis - Predicted W (Actually W)
Niners vs. Washington - Predicted L (Actually W)
I was wrong about one Arizona game, the New York Jets game, the Miami game, and today's game. Still, 12 for 16 = not bad, especially when the record ends up the same as predicted.
I don't know why so many people were demanding a playoff appearance before this year - the roster still has a ways to go before it's a truly dominant football team - but at least people seem more willing to forgive Singletary for his faults, and he'll need it in the early going. After all, the team pissed away wins at Arizona and Miami that they should have earned - those wins would have given us a playoff spot, albeit one before we really deserved one, and I was glad to see that people weren't demanding Singletary's firing after those losses doomed our chances for good.
I like Singletary as our coach, not just for the present, but for the future. I don't think Singletary is a great head coach at this very moment, but I see definite potential for greatness down the road, and I'd rather see him realize that potential as OUR HC than as, say, the Cowboys' HC.
Congrats to the Niners for finishing December strong (as usual), and I wish you luck in the months to come! Thanks, Matt, as always for the incredible work you do on our behalf - we are lucky to have you, and we should never forget it.
Hey Matt,
I think it was Jay Glazer who reported that Singletary wants to keep Martz but the front office is against it. What's your take on this?
Why would the players regret being happy?
Montana-to-Rice, RednGold, you guys are not real 49ers fans. You guys are a joke. It is amazing to me that you so called fans always try to find the negatives. Why the hate on Jed? He did what all niners fans wanted done. Fire Nolan and hire Singletary. Yet there is still this stupid name calling. Yeah the kid has no experience but you so called 49ers fans have all the answers on how to make this team a winner. I like that he is a fan first. I like that he has control of this team and not a non experienced Head Coach like Nolan was.
Yes the 9ers finished 7-9, not great, but they won today. And we got a new coach. We all know that this team was a few plays here and there of being a division winner and in the playoffs. Singletary said it weeks ago when he said there is something here to build on. I feel a lot better going into the 2009 season than I did going into the 2007 season. Todd McShay already has us taking Michael Jenkins at the #10 pick. I dont think so. What do you guys think?
Singletary has earned the loyalty of the team and his shot at the future. OK, it is way too early to anoint him as the second coming etc, etc., but the team sure has become more focused and more fun to watch since he took over. And I thought Martz called a really good game today. That last drive was a clinic. Don't think many redskins were figuring on Robinson going down field for a key reception. We could do worse than continue this strange combination and chemistry--think it really comes down to how comfortable they each are with the prospect of trying to make it work. My .02: worth a try. Go 9ers!
This is great news although it's totally expected. At least the season ended on a high note. I think Martz's play calling today was pretty good. I wouldn't be disappointed if they did retain him for one more year but I doubt it will happen. His redzone play calling stinks most of the time. I still think they need to improve at QB to have a chance at the playoffs next year. Shaun Hill is a winner in the mold of Jeff Garcia but he just doesn't have the physical tools to lead this team to the postseason.
Well, the move to Los Angeles has been set as I can't wait to see the LA 49ers all thanks to the Yorks:
First, make Jed York NOT MIKE HOLMGREN the president, check
Sign unproven man to coach team, check
Make sure we don't violate Rooney rule, though Goodell will still find something to dock the team on a technically: Check
Have another losing season: Check
Make sure fans in Santa Clara vote no on stadium, coming in 2009, or is it 2010?
Get rid of potentials and keep the garbage o team, check
Have another bad year: Coming up in 2009
Make sure we:
Lose to the NFC North, 1 and 3, with win over Lions
AFC South, with win maybe over Jax, 1 and 3
Lose to Eagles again
Lose to Falcons @Atlanta probably
Play our division and get 4 false wins over 4 crappy teams
6 and 10, no better, no playoffs, another 14 pick, and we do it over untiwe move to LA by 2012.
LA 49ers, thanks John York! We love you JOhn York! Way to screw the team JOhn York! Way to name your son over Mike HOlmgren! Way to go!
Montana to Rice, exactly, exactly! I remember it well, we went from 7 wins to 2 wins. NFC north is brutal... if I remember right, we must play @ Vikings, and I think we might be @ Lions. Did we play the Pack at home 3 years ago? I know Bears was @Soldier. AFC South...Colts I think is @, Houston I know is @ so I guess Jax/Titans are both home games...unless Colts are home and Titans is the @. Then I know since we played E on the road 2 years ago, we have to have home vs. E and S is road...has to be. But either way, it's likely to be 2 and 6 outside the division, big whoop! Hope you're all happy. LA 49ers coming soon!
Due to the Eagles clinching a playoff/Falcons, the 49ers get Eagles E and Falcons S, NOT Dallas/Tampa Bay as orginally thought.
Don't underestimate NFC NOrth: Vikings is @, Bears/Pack have our number, then you have Colts/Titans at least, Houston is @, and then our division.
6 win season easy and LA getting closer.
Due to the Eagles clinching a playoff/Falcons, the 49ers get Eagles E and Falcons S, NOT Dallas/Tampa Bay as orginally thought.
Don't underestimate NFC NOrth: Vikings is @, Bears/Pack have our number, then you have Colts/Titans at least, Houston is @, and then our division.
6 win season easy and LA getting closer.
LA49ers - You don't live in L.A.; I do. I can tell you don't because you actually think the 49ers could - let alone would - move to Los Angeles. They will not play in the City of Industry, which is where any team that relocates to Los Angeles will have to play now. There is no real estate or land available - let alone suitable - for stadium construction in Los Angeles. There's a reason the NFL isn't in the nation's second-biggest media market, and the 49ers aren't about to throw themselves on that particular sword.
There are numerous other errors in your post, but I figured it would be simpler to point out that your constructed identity serves no particular purpose.
"This is the last time our season ends in December," York said.
That's a damn nice soundbyte. If anything, young York is going to be great for reporters.
Hi Matt, I think many teams are second guessing themselves why they didn't give Sing a shot. He has such a feel for the game. He has this ability to transfer his will to win to his players. That kind of passion reminds me of Lombardi. I'd like Martz to stay, on Sunday in the second half his offense went bam, bam, bam - score. People classify him as one dimensional but the more weapons he has the more dangerous he becomes. He pounds the rock and then back to back 20 yard passes and we score in a minute. And take a look at the box score there are 9 or 10 different receivers with receptions.
Keeping or firing the OC is not only about Martz. It's about whom else to hire. We need a replacement before getting rid of the old one.
historypeats - that's a pretty good run there. I was on 9-7 until O'Sullivan sucked as bad as he did. I also suspected at worst-case scenario we'd start 2-6 and Nolan would be gone. That's honestly the scenario I was hoping for!
Playoffs? Don't talk to me about playoffs, you kiddig me? Playoffs? I hope we can win a road game the way this schedule is set up: @ Phil, @ Minn, @ Houston that punished Chicago...we're going to be beat up by the time we get home games. I hope we don't get any Prime Time games, but they love 7 and 9 teams. They better schedule us so late that the game is flexed away.
Singletary won't do the job, we have to win on the road and we developed a nice habit of not getting the job done. That's your task Singletary, you got us home games, you get us road games. But I got no confidence you can do it. You need to earn that right to have confidence only if you WIN THE GAME. Right now, not going to happen. We have no WR or a pass rush.
What are you talking about? We won four games at home and three games on the road. No matter how you try to twist things, the teams we play next year are not as talented as this year's squads; while the draft, free agency, and injuries will ultimately determine the schedule's toughness, you're the one who's bent on making predictions nine months out, and you're doing it wrong.