MIke Singletary Fired: Who's on the San Francisco 49ers' Wish List?

Mike Singletary was shown the door Sunday evening in the city by the bay.

Tony Bennett was not there to serenade Singletary, 49ers management came by with a pink slip. 

The Yorks had apparently had enough. Owner John told son Jed to give Samurai Mike the bad news. It's not like Singletary didn't see this coming.

His last image will be that screaming contest with Troy Smith on the sideline. Both participants lost their cool and Singletary would lose his job a few hours later.

What's next for the Niners?

First things first, the team needs a general manager. Trent Baalke, their director of player personnel, has been handling the duties.

The Yorks have flat out stated that "money will be no object" in this quest to find the successor to the now-departed Singletary.

That being the case, then how about this cast of characters?

Mike Holmgren: Yes, The Big Show. It's becoming less of a trend but he could take over BEFORE a general manager is hired, act as general manager, hire himself as head coach then begin his search for a general manager to serve under him, because that's what it would require.

He hasn't given any indications that he wants to coach but San Francisco, well, he might have left his heart there and deep down inside be looking to come back.

Stranger things have happened in this league.

Lane Kiffin: Stop laughing. Isn't Lane getting a little weary of all those NCAA regulations? He still holds that wonderful "ace in the hole." and that is his dad, Monte, a defensive mind that helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win a Super Bowl. You can bet that Monte is tired of the NCAA violations manual as much as his kid.

Laugh if you want, but stranger things have happened in this league. Al Davis can't stand Lane and that's always a good thing.

Jim Harbaugh: The longer you think about what he was able to accomplish at Stanford, the more you have to like him. You look what a young coach like Raheem Morris has been able to accomplish in Tampa and you would think that youth isn't a bad thing and Harbaugh has been able to transform Stanford from a finesse team into a tough, physical bunch. You're going to hear his name a lot now that the position is open.

Jon Gruden: Gruden's name comes up with any opening and no one knows what's on Chucky's mind. Will he stay at ESPN or return to the league? His son Deuce hinted a few weeks ago that his dad's cities of interest are Cleveland and San Francisco.

Bill Cowher: If "money is no object" then he is your object.

John Fox: His magic has run out in Carolina but he has an impressive record. He'll resurface somewhere and will have success.

Tom Coughlin:  Might be available if the Giants lose their last game.

Whoever gets the call, the Yorks will have time to think about this. They're in no hurry and don't need to be.

There's still a week in the regular season, then the playoffs.

And yes, Stanford has a bowl game. They might see if they can swing a sideline pass for the Stanford bench.