Why Mike Singletary Is on the Hot Seat as San Francisco 49ers Coach

The San Francisco 49ers were one of the most highly touted teams in the NFC over the offseason. They were expected to finish first in their division, which is considered the weakest in the NFL.

Those high hopes were quickly dashed with a start of 0-5.

Here is why head coach Mike Singletary will not be with the 49ers next season.

Offense

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 14: Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a touchdown while defended by Ron Bartell #24 of the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park on November 14, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ez

The offense of the 49ers is not that bad this season. They have one of the best running backs in the league in Frank Gore and have an emerging star quarterback in Troy Smith.

The are ranked 23rd in total yards and haven't been too stellar. They have the talent to be great; let's be honest, who couldn't pass to Michael Crabtree?

With all the star power on this side of the ball, one has to evaluate the coaching staff to see why they are not performing.

Defense

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 05: Brandon Jackson #32 of the Green Bay Packers breaks away from Nate Clements #22 of the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field on December 5, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The 49ers defense has been the one bright spot out of this horrible season. The defense is an average unit and has been great at stopping the run this season.

They have only allowed 98.3 yards rushing this season and 218 yards passing. This puts them in the top 20 in both categories.

Although by the numbers they look really good and have not given up many yards, remember they play in the weakest division in the NFL.

The defense has been okay, but that is expected from a defensive head coach.

Divisional Record

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 05: Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers hits Troy Smith #1 of the San Francisco 49ers after a pass at Lambeau Field on December 5, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 34-16. (Photo by Jonathan Dani

Having a record of 4-8 while in a division that doesn't even have a team with a winning record is a horrible thing. The NFC West is considered the weakest division in the NFL.

Every coach in the division should consider himself on the hot seat after such a horrible season against other horrible teams.

Talent Not Being Translated to Success

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers shouts on the sidelines during their game against the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park on November 14, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Imag

San Francisco has some of the best young players in the league right now, including Troy Smith, Michael Crabtree and Frank Gore.

This talent hasn't led to success this season, and that only points to one culprit: the coaching staff. When players aren't performing and getting victories, it usually has something to do with the coaching.

For the 49ers to be successful in the future, the first step is getting rid of the current coaching regime.

The Alex Smith Embarassment

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Quarterback Alex Smith #1 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 2

At the beginning of the season, everyone thought that Alex Smith would be the next big thing in the NFL.  He showed signs of brilliance and was supposed to lead the team to the playoffs this season.

After playing horribly at the beginning of the season he was benched. Investing so much time in Smith, then benching him, could be the end of Singletary.

It really is an embarrassment to the franchise to have such a highly touted young rising star on the bench.