It’s official. Mike Singletary has signed a four-year contract to remain as 49ers head coach for 2009.
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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