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Nolan was in the fourth year of a five-year, $8.5 million contract. After being hired in 2005 he was also in charge of personal until this season. Nolan, 49, was 18-37 as head coach of the 49ers. Defence was Nolan’s specialty but they have been very inconsistent all season. Though the offense improved its scoring under the play-calling of offensive coordinator Mike Martz it just was not enough to keep him around. Most of the 49ers players only heard the news they heard on television about the firing. Nolan, who seemed to have no idea he would be fired when he conducted his usual news conference earlier Monday, didn’t return a phone call from The Associated Press.

The 49ers have had five straight losing seasons and were 4-12, 7-9 and 5-11 in three full seasons in his tenure. Nolan might be best know for wearing a suit and tie during his home games instead of the normal Reebok supplied clothing that all other coaches wear. He claimed that the suit and tie project an image of authority while also paying tribute to the league’s former coaching greats which included his father Dick Nolan coached the 49ers and the Saints.

Coach Nolan went through 4 different offensive coordinators, Mike McCarthy and Norv Turner left in the first of Nolan’s season. Martz became his fourth offensive coordinator last winter. Nolan’s future also was heavily tied to quarterback Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in 2005. Never becoming the consistent atarter that the 49ers were hoping for, Alex Smith also had and public spat with Nolan last year over the quarterback’s shoulder injuries. The injuries forced him onto the injured reserve last year which did not help the team in any way.

Assistant head coach Mike Singletary will be the interim head coach, general manager Scot McCloughan said. They will be working on a suitable contract for the now vacant head coaching job. All we can do is hope that they get someone to fill the position with heart that the 49ers have had in the past.

By: Blaine Sword

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