Nolan Possibly to Be Fired: 49ers Trying to Take Advantage of Weak Division

  Hold your breath 49er fans, your greatest hope just might happen sooner than later. Late last night, Michael Smith reported on ESPN that Mike Nolan could possibly be fired if the 49ers do not win against the Giants next week or beat the Seahawks.  While most 49er fans have been calling for Nolan to resign since the end of last season, this move comes as a surprise to most within the Bay Area. Normally, an organization fires a coach midway through the season when the team is out of the playoff race and the coach has had several years to improve the team. Unlike other teams, the 49ers still have a shot at making the playoffs because of how weak the NFC West is.  For example even if the 49ers were to lose against the Giants and Seahawks, they could still be in contention for the division if the Cardinals lose one game before the Monday Night showdown between the two teams. If the report from ESPN turns out to be true, the 49er organization probably believes that the players on the team do not respond to Nolan very well, and believes a change at the head coach position will change the performance of the team. It is also possible that the change in head coaching will allow the Yorks to test out possible head coaching candidates coach within the season.

          According to the report if Nolan were to be fired, he would be replaced by either Mike Singletary or Mike Martz. Considering Mike Martz has had experience at the head coach position in the NFL, it is more likely that the Yorks would choose Martz over Singletary. Martz has had an impressive resume as a head coach in the NFL with 4 playoff appearances in 5 years. He has directed several impressive offenses during his tenure and has coached in big games. Singletary, on the other hand, has had no experience at coaching in the NFL. His only experience in the NFL is being a linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens in 2003.  However, he is known as a great motivator for the team and would make the team respond to him in a way that Nolan never could. Patrick Willis has also credited Singletary for his development as a pro bowl linebacker. Either way, both coaching candidates would inherit a talented defensive roster with a bad defensive scheme. The coaching candidate, who would be more likely to win the division, will be the candidate who can change our defense around and be more aggressive with our blitzes.  This leads me to believe that Singletary would be the best option despite his inexperience because his aggressive defensive nature and his ability to make players on the team listen and respond to him.