- Feb 17, 2004
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Heard this on KNBR radio while driving to work.
Interesting that they hired a coordinator as a coach but still haven't hired a GM yet. Even though the draft is coming up and its probably gonna make or break next season. Its good that they have gone with a defensive specialist as a coach though, since its been proven time and time again that defensive wins championships. And also most of the talent on the niners is on the defensive side. If he can turn that into something like what the Ravens have than niners might win 8 games next year which in the NFC might be enough for the playoffs.
But still wheres the draft people??? The GM, his scouts and personnel people.
The San Francisco 49ers have decided who their new coach will be.
FOXSports.com has learned that the Niners have tabbed Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Nolan to be their next head coach.
The 49ers today are negotiating with Nolan's agent Bob Lamonte on a deal. Provided they can come to a financial agreement, Nolan should be announced at a press conference on Wednesday morning, although it could come as early as tomorrow.
Nolan edged out Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis for the job, a decision that was told to both candidates early this morning.
Lewis told FOXSports.com that Niners owner John York informed his this morning that they were choosing Nolan because the 49ers loved the experience that Nolan brings as well as his vision for the entire organization.
"They told me that his experience working with the number of head coaches he's worked with was also a big factor," said Lewis.
In fact, Nolan has the third longest tenure of any defensive coordinator in this league despite being just 45 years old. His father Dick was NFL Coach of the Year for the 49ers in the early 70s. Nolan also went to high school in the Bay area, making him a logical choice for a guy who is already familiar with the area.
Nolan was a finalist among candidates that included Lewis, Titans assistants Jim Schwartz and Mike Heimerdinger and Romeo Crennel, the Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel.
The team also used a search committee that consisted of former 49ers Randy Cross, George Seifert and Tim McDonald. They worked closely with York and other team executives in finding their candidates and paring down the number to five finalists.
Nolan being the lead candidate was first reported on FOX NFL Sunday's playoff pre-game show.
Nolan has been a defensive coordinator with the Giants, his first gig on that level in 1993, the Redskins, the Jets and the Ravens. He's coached such stars as Lawrence Taylor, Michael Strahan and Ray Lewis.
"The 49ers got themselves a heck of a guy to be their coach," said Strahan when told of the news that Nolan is the team's choice. "He's a lot like Coach Fox (Panthers head coach John Fox) in regards to how the players respect him. The Niners just made themselves a much better team."
Deion Sanders said when he was being courted by Lewis to come out of retirement and play for Baltimore, Lewis sold him on Nolan as well.
Interesting that they hired a coordinator as a coach but still haven't hired a GM yet. Even though the draft is coming up and its probably gonna make or break next season. Its good that they have gone with a defensive specialist as a coach though, since its been proven time and time again that defensive wins championships. And also most of the talent on the niners is on the defensive side. If he can turn that into something like what the Ravens have than niners might win 8 games next year which in the NFC might be enough for the playoffs.
But still wheres the draft people??? The GM, his scouts and personnel people.