Nolan Fired Singletary Hired

The San Francisco 49ers have fired Head Coach Mike Nolan ((pictured, thanks sfgate.com/Michael Macor)) and replaced him, on an interim basis, with Mike Singletary.

From the San Francisco Chronicle ahem... quote...

"Nolan was nearly fired by owner John York at the end of the 2007 season after the 49ers compiled a 5-11 record marked by a bitter rift between the head coach and the man he drafted No. 1 in 2005 to lead the team back to respectability, quarterback Alex Smith."

Nolan was fired with a cumulative record of 18-37 over a three-and-a-half year period. He was brought in as a defensive guru-type-coach, but his Niners squads averaged giving up over 30 points per game.

"Asked about his job security after Sunday's 29-17 loss to the Giants, Nolan said, 'We've lost four in a row. We're certainly not going in the right direction. When you lose, it fuels speculation, sure. But as far as what's on my mind, I can't focus on it.' "

The rest of John Crumpacker's piece in the Chronicle can be found in black...