Monday January 17, it was reported that John York and the 49ers hired Ravens Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan to be the new 49ers Head coach.  Nolan is a bay area guy, graduating from Woodside High School and son of former NFL head coach Dick Nolan who coached for the 49ers and Saints.

    
For me, before the second round of the playoffs, it was a coin flip between Patriots Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crennel and Mike Nolan, but after the second round I would have fought the Browns for Crennel.  Nolan was the Defensive Coordinator of one of the top ranked Defenses in the NFL and Romeo Crennel made the top-ranked Colts offense look like the 49ers practice squad as the Patriots won (20-3).   During week 15 the Ravens lost to the Colts (20-10).  When Nolan and Crennel's defenses squared off, Crennel won decisively (24-3).  All off these wins for Crennel were without Cornerbacks Ty Law and Tyrone Poole.

    
One thing that helped Nolan get the job was his connection with his father who coached the 49ers in the 70’s.  That’s the only thing that stands out.  When he took over as the Defensive Coordinator of the Ravens there were already a powerful force, but he kept the Ravens as a defensive force with eight rookie starters.

    
The 49ers should not even be in this situation, but thanks to York they are.  They should have hired Jim Mora Jr. as head coach before last season instead of letting Erickson lose 14 games.

    
Now I’m not saying Nolan will be a bad coach, he will be better then Erickson, but after what I have seen from Crennel I think he would have been a better choice.  Prove me wrong Mike.