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49ers fire coach Nolan

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-10-22 11:04

SAN FRANCISCO: The San Francisco 49ers have fired coach Mike Nolan following his team's run of four defeats, the NFL Network said on Monday.

Defensive specialist Nolan, who has a win-loss record of 17-38 in three-and-a-half seasons with the franchise, is expected to be replaced by assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Mike Singletary.

Although official confirmation was not immediately available from the 49ers, Nolan had been asked several questions about his coaching future at a news conference earlier on Monday.

"I'm not in a position to hire and fire Mike Nolan," he told reporters. "That's the ownership's job. My objective is to win and to do everything I can to do that."

Asked to assess his team after a 2-5 start to the season, Nolan replied: "I have no choice but to be confident in things around me, that I surround myself with. It's just the way it is. That's my job.

"I have a lot of confidence in all three coordinators. The position coaches, as well. I've got an awful lot of confidence in our players."

San Francisco lost 29-17 to the NFC-leading New York Giants on Sunday, their fourth consecutive defeat.

The once-powerful 49ers, winners of five Super Bowl titles, have not recorded a winning season in their last five campaigns.

Nolan, who has served as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, Washington Redskins and New York Jets during his NFL coaching career, was in the fourth season of a five-year contract reported to be worth $8 million.

Agencies