We've had a long dark period with Nolan at the helm. Singletary is a breath of fresh air, for the fans and I'm sure for the media as well. The problem with looking at other candidates is that Singletary has seemed to turn the franchise around, and if you hire somebody else, regardless of qualifications, and he turns out badly, you look like a complete idiot. Let's not underestimate the ability of a head coach to inspire aggressiveness and emotional play, which sometimes is more important than knowing the X's and O's. It's obvious that Singletary is better at game day decision making than either Nolan or Martz. But the real reason to hire Singletary is that there would be a fan and player revolt otherwise, and putting butts in seats is part of the reason to choose one head coach over another.

Lowell those are good points to consider. I have written to support Singletary but I also believe that the emotion he brings has its upside and downside. I also agree the offensive side of equation remains a question mark. I personally believe that he's done enough and showed he cares enough to get the job done. But seriously, he has a lot to learn. I can't argue with that. I imagine there are some good alternatives out there and I don't pretend to know who they all are. Honestly for me, sports are entertainment and with Coach Singletary I have been entertained watching the games. It's been a long time since I been able to say that. I think a lot of fans feel the same way. No one thinks Super Bowl anymore. It’s more about let’s just be competitive. Small steps. I think most of us feel he at least provides a measure of hope. Hope has been in short supply for a long time. So that’s kind of nice.

Classic case of someone that doesn't understand the game. Mularkey is a good coordinator and he was a pretty ineffective HC in Buffalo. The fact that the Falcons are doing so well owes as much to Turner & Ryan as it does to Mularkey.

The number one element that is ESSENTIAL in being a great HC is LEADERSHIP and Singletary exudes that quality at all times. This goes all the way back to his playing days when he was essentially a coach on the field for Buddy Ryan.

As far as hiring an offensive guy (or defensive guy) as HC that's what coordinators are for. The HC, as I've stated, must first and foremost be a leader of men.

Besides, in his almost 20 year career as a player and coach in the NFL I'm pretty sure that Singletary learned a few things about offense, don't ya think?

Honestly, anybody that would promote Mularkey over Singletary, with all due respect, doesn't understand the game.

Honestly, you want to take a guy who's a good coordinator and a failed HC over a guy that knows the Niners personnel and in his short time there as HC has changed the culture on the field and has made them competitive in almost all games. As far as any "meltdowns" all HC's go through some sort of learning curve when they transition up to that position. Give the guy a break.

Honestly, one of the dumbest articles I have ever read!

After what this club has gone through with offensive co-ordinators, it definitely would benefit them to have a head coach with an offensive mind, but I don't think it is a requirement, and I think Singletary deserves a chance with the position full time. The difficult part will be replacing Martz, but I feel that as long as Singletary finds someone he is comfortable working with, they should be ok. Singletary has the club playing up to their expected levels, and he is a good leader who is respected by the players. I don't think Nolan would have won four games if he was still in charge. Let's give him a shot.

Respecting offensive systems and OC candidates, we need to keep in mind that the Niners want continuity so ideally they want someone already well versed in a WCO type system who will not soon be a candidate for a HC position. If Turner's departure isn't a deal killer from the Niners perspective (albeit Turner won't be available as he will be HC in SD next year) then rehiring Mariucci shouldn't be a problem on the Niners side of things. Mooch is not an HC candidate as he has said on NFL Network that he would only coach again on the west coast as he and his family do NOT wish to move and have made northern California their home. Seattle has a new coach. Mooch is not going to Oakland and if San Diego comes calling in a year or so then Turner, by definition is available. Thus, Mooch is available and local, the WCO is his forte' and he is still familiar with the NFL from his NFL Network gig. And, he knows Singletary as when Singletary was hired Mooch said he felt bad for Nolan but happy for Singletary and he sees them both every week as their (Nolan;s and Singletary's kids) go to the same high school that Mooch's kid coaches at. If Mooch will work for the Niners again this seems like a no brainer to me.

You need a HC to lead the ENTIRE team, to motivate them to play up to and beyond their abilities. That's how Parcells coached. Same with guys like Ditka & Ryan. This league is littered with failed HC's who got the job because they were good offensive coordinators. Look at Scott Linehan with the Rams. Classic case. Good OC and terrible HC. Why? Cause he couldn't lead an entire squad of men into battle. Same with Cam Cameron in Miami last year. Same with a guy like Mularkey. Norv Turner is a current example. The list,however,is far to long to name. For some unknown reason owners and GM's think that just cause a guy can put in a game plan and call plays he will be a good HC. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Any concerns about the offense should be addressed with the hiring of the OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR. That's HIS job.

Like I said earlier, people somehow make the mistake that just cause a guy comes from the defense side of the ball like Singletary that he somehow doesn't know , I guess what, the offensive side of football. Seeing as how he spent most of his career trying to stop all kinds of offenses I'm sure he knows and understands football from the offensive side.

Mike Singletary was an integral part of one of the greatest teams in history, the 85 Bears. The HC, Mike Ditka, was a SPECIAL TEAMS coach in Dallas. Even though he played on the offensive side of the ball, he was not considered a genius when it came to offense. The other coach, Buddy Ryan was obviously a defensive coach. Both of those guys were, first and foremost, great leaders of men. In 85 the Bears also led the NFC in scoring, so they weren't only a "defensive team." One of the reasons they led the league in scoring that year was because the defense got the ball back for their offense pretty quickly and they had some good/great players on offense. Guys like Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, Willie Gault etc. Trust me, whomever was the OC of the Bears at that time was competent, but surely no genius.

You hire a "Leader of Men" to lead the entire team (players and coaches) as HC. You then hire quality coordinators who share the HC's "Football Philosophy." You then draft and bring in free-agent players who fit with the HC's overall football philosophy.

It's really not very complicated. Recycling a guy like Mularkey just cause he's having a good year CALLING PLAYS after the team just brought in two MAJOR upgrades on offense (MATT RYAN & MICHAEL TURNER) is just plain STUPID. OMG. Mike Mularkey wiould be Mike Nolan ALL OVER AGAIN.

I am truly shocked at how so many people have so much trouble figuring that out.

Look at this years Ravens. They brought in a Special Teams coach (John Harbaugh) as their new HC. Excellent defense and DC (Rex Ryan). Excellent OC (Cam Cameron . . . the failed HC). They're now in position to make the playoffs the first year after they just fired their HC (Brian Billick - another OC).

Baltimore was smart. They brought in a guy they felt would be a great Leader of the whole team as HC and then brought in an excellent coach to be the OC.

So simple even a Caveman can figure it out!