Interim no more: Singletary staying as 49ers' head coach
NFL.com Wire Reports
The San Francisco 49ers announced Sunday that Mike Singletary has been hired as the team's new head coach.
Singletary was named interim head coach on Oct. 21 after Mike Nolan was fired.
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"Mike Singletary's leadership ability has galvanized the players and coaching staff to deliver improved results on the field," 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan said in a statement released by the team. "By turning the second half of the season around, he has accomplished what few interim head coaches have been able to do. After discussions with ownership, we agree that Mike has earned the head coach position. I look forward to working with Mike to continue to build on the momentum he has created as we prepare for the 2009 season."
Under Singletary, the 49ers were 5-4, including a 27-24 season-ending victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday. San Francisco ended the season 7-9 and out of playoff contention.
Singletary originally joined the 49ers as assistant head coach in 2005 after two seasons as the Baltimore Ravens' linebackers coach.
Singletary was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998 after an 11-year career as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears.