Following the lead of the Rams and Raiders, the 49ers decided to fire their head coach as Mike Nolan got the axe on Monday night.

Mike Nolan has confirmed to FOX Sports that he has been fired by the San Francisco 49ers. Nolan was informed by team brass late Monday afternoon.

It is assumed that current defensive coordinator Mike Singletary will assume Nolan’s coaching duties. There were reports earlier today that Nolan would be fired after the team’s next game Sunday against Seattle, but ownership instead decided not to wait.

Nolan was in the midst of his fourth season in San Francisco and leaves with an 18-37 record. The 49ers appeared to have hope after a 7-9 season in 2006 — the team’s best record in three years at the time.

But the Niners sank to 5-11 last season as Nolan and his one-time franchise quarterback Alex Smith reportedly had a falling out, with the Niners’ offense ranking as the league’s worst in 2007.
This season’s 49ers began with mild hope after beginning the year 2-1, but local media pressure increased during a three-game losing streak.

San Fran really didn’t have much choice. Nolan’s specialty was supposed to be defense, yet the 49ers have gotten worse in that area each of the last two seasons despite adding pricey free agents Nate Clements, Michael Lewis and Justin Smith.

I’m pulling for Singletary to get a shot as interim because he deserves the opportunity to see what he can do as a head coach. Either way, at least Niner fans won’t be forced to watch Nolan on the sidelines in that ridiculous suit anymore.