The 49ers Status: Mike Singletary Fired; Coach Search Heats Up.

During the offseason, teams have the "state of..." meetings and press conferences to tell media and fans what to expect for the upcoming season.  

Well, this is the end of Week 16, so this is something I'm going to start at the end of Week 16 in the upcoming seasons.

This is the status of the 49ers.

I'll address the coaching search, the QB situation (a little) and the 49ers 2011 season.

If you have not heard, Mike Singletary has been fired by team President Jed York. York said that the organization will begin an immediate search Monday for a general manager to take over football operations and will then hire a head coach.

Jim Tomsula will take over as the interim head coach for the 49ers' Week 17 game vs. Arizona.

After that though, it's up in the air. Will this be a one-game audition for Tomsula? Doubtful, but you never know.

Let's take a look at the potential candidates:

Jim Harbaugh—Most likely the leading candidate as of right now.  

Sure, Harbaugh doesn't have the experience, but he's a former NFL quarterback and can certainly help that situation. He also is a very good motivator and seems to understand the offense play-calling.

In the few Stanford games I've seen this year, he seems to manage the clock well.

Jon Gruden—Always a name floating around as he ties to the Bay Area.  

He's known for his suffocating defensive teams, and he's already coached in the Bay Area and took the Raiders to the Super Bowl.

Bill Cowher—Though he stepped away on his own, when you're a coach, it's very hard to stay retired. Thankfully, not all coaches are as waffled as Brett Favre. So there's always a possibility that Cowher could come back to coach.

Of course, I'd see Cowher staying on the east coast to coach. But if the right GM is hired, he may head west.

Mike Holmgren—Yes, I know he is in Cleveland and managing that team right now. But Holmgren loves the Bay Area and his name was mentioned when Nolan got fired, and he's already been in the 49ers organization.  

Jim Tomsula—Week 17 vs. Arizona could be his one-game audition to be promoted to full time head coach. But with the likes of Harbaugh and Gruden, it is hard to imagine the 49ers passing up those big names.

So who do I think the 49ers will hire? I can't really say until I know who the GM is. As far position goes, I see Trent Baalke or Bill Parcells.  

Parcells is the bigger name, but the 49ers tend to go with already-established organization personnel, so Baalke is probably the (slim) favorite. 

Of course, if I had to guess on who the 49ers head coach will be, as of right now, I'd say it's neck and neck between Gruden and Harbaugh. I think Harbaugh probably has a slight edge due to the fact Gruden already turned down a job at University of Miami and has said he's staying at ESPN. Though just because you say it, it doesn't mean it's set in stone.  

But I'm not going to leave it at that, I'll let you pick who you think will be the head coach of the 49ers in 2011-12.

QB Situation 

I already talked about this earlier, so I won't spend too much time on it. Just an update: The 49ers will most likely wait until the offseason and after a head coach is placed before addressing the QB situation.

However, from this season, all three QBs have been inconsistent. No, it's not fair to David Carr—what does he get, a half to show what he could do? I believe he's the only QB signed past this season.

I'm not sure about Nate Davis, who I thought would be the future of the 49ers—until he was released and then placed on the practice squad.  

I don't know if it's because the organization (or Mike Singletary) was punishing him for the lack of effort that I heard sweeping around during preseason, or he didn't understand that a learning disability is not mental retardation.

Yes, with a learning disability comes a side effect—it takes you longer to learn a playbook, and the development is extended a little, but the organization knew this when they drafted him.   

Now, I think the head coach and the organization need to part ways with the entire QB staff and start fresh by drafting a top QB, trading for one or hitting the FA market for a big name QB.  

Right now, I'd say sign McNabb (though rumbles that he lands in Arizona are getting louder) and draft Ryan Mallet.  

What will really (or my feelings on what should) happen:

49ers hire Jon Gruden: I like Chucky and think the Bay Area suits him well. He knows how to coach and understands working with QBs—not saying he will make Alex Smith better, but he could.

Alex Smith stays and competes for the starting job again: Why would he leave now? Oh, he's a free agent?  

I'm not sure the Cardinals want him. Though Buffalo, Cleveland or Seattle might take him.

Ryan Mallett drafted: I know a top 10 pick by the 49ers? At least it isn't the No. 1 overall (phew.)

McNabb lands in San Francisco, as long as Brian Westbrook stays:

Look at this: McNabb, Gore, Vernon Davis, Crabtree, Tedd Ginn Jr. and Josh Morgan. Now, get some corners that don't get beat on defense and you should be competing for the playoffs.

49ers WILL win the NFC West in 2011 at 11-5. They will be the No. 3 seed and will host the...

Carolina Panthers and Andrew Luck.  

I pick the 49ers to finish 11-5 the last three seasons, I figure if I keep this prediction, it will eventually come true.