49ers Beat Skins, Name Singletary Head Coach

The 49ers made a lot of news on Sunday—so much so their last-second 27-24 victory over Washington took a backseat when head coach Mike Singletary received word immediately after the win that his interim tag had been replaced for a permanent one.  Before kickoff, the York family named Jed York the 49ers' team president. He made the announcement in the locker room that Singletary had been inked to a new four-year contact.  In a matter of hours, the 49ers tidied up their mess of 2008—creating a new power structure with York as CEO and Singletary as field general—tethering their hopes to two individuals with little experience.

In his first act as head coach, Singletary fired offensive coordinator Mike Martz who clashed with the former linebacker's conservative approach and desire to run the ball instead of pass.  When Singletary replaced J.T. O'Sullivan, Martz's pick for quarterback, with Shaun Hill, he effectively relieved him of his duties.  The 49ers went from a pass-happy, high-risk, high-turnover team to one that featured the run and the effective short passing of Hill.  If couldn't have been easy for Martz who favors a more wide-open attack and had to dial down his approach with Singletary as coach and Hill as quarterback.  Whether he felt comfortable or not, Martz adapted, called great games during the rest of the year and led the 49ers to their best offensive output in years. 

After only a few days, the blueprint for the 49ers under Singletary is clear--tough defense and a run-oriented offense.  It also didn't help Martz's cause that he's looked upon as a short-timer and someone interested in being a head coach again.    

The 49ers topped Washington to finish at 7-9 on a field goal by Joe Nedney in the final seconds of the game.  The way the season ended and the overall optimism about next year is reminiscent of 2006.  The 49ers finished off 2006 by defeating Denver on the road on a field goal by Nedney, which created a lot of momentum and buzz about 2007.  But, last season turned out to be a dud as the team sunk to new lows.  So, with all the good feelings circling about, a bit of reality should be sprinkled in because how one season ends sometimes doesn't mean much for how the next will begin.  Because between the end and the beginning, the 49ers will have to find a new offensive coordinator, draft successfully and spend wisely on free agents.

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Under Singletary, the 49ers went 5-4 and won five of their last seven games.  Much of the credit should be dished Hill's way—the unspectacular quarterback that simply wins. He's 7-3 as a starter and 5-0 when playing at Candlestick Park.  As of right now, Hill hasn't been named the starter for next season and probably won't be.  In defense of Hill, he's done about all he can and rescued a San Francisco team headed for rock bottom.  But, to play the other side, Hill hasn't navigated through a full NFL season, only playing the part of relief pitcher for a failed starter.  All signs though point to Hill as the team's starting quarterback for next season.

As for San Francisco's off-season needs, the team could use a top wide receiver, offensive line help, a new set of safeties and a pass rusher.  It remains to be seen if the 49ers can evaluate talent.  The team's top two draft picks, Kentwan Balmer and Chilo Rachal played inconsistently during the year, while tight end Vernon Davis, the 49ers' 6th pick in the 2006 draft had another underachieving season.

But, all these worries and the newly heightened expectations for the 49ers reside upon the lap of the 27-year-old York and Singletary—the man he appointed to lead the team’s revival. For better or worse, the two are now linked together forever.   

By Jim Bucci
ProFootball-fans.com San Francisco 49ers Correspondent