Nolan out; Singletary’s deal is pending

So did anything happen while I was traveling back from the East Coast?

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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