Mike Nolan named 49ers HC

Fox went from 11-5 to 7-9. That does not mean he sucks as a coach. Injuries were the main reason it happened. Gutting the roster is why Erickson had a big drop off.

 

I thought Erickson sucked as an NFL coach before he was hired. I believed from the first press release the Niners were doomed as long as he was running the show. I've just never seen any evidence that he's anything but a mediocre to bad coach in the NFL.

If you watched them play this year, there were only a handful of games they played with much, if any heart. Granted, it's hard to play with heart when your nads have been amputated (Garcia, Owens, Streets, Peterson {HO/IR}, Ron Stone, etc.), but Fox got the '04 Panthers to do it, didn't he?

Not that I'm saying the blame falls completely on Erickson. Not at all. York has been a terrible owner thusfar, and Donahue hasn't helped any either. The team WAS gutted, and did have serious chemistry issues. Several questionable drafts have been a big contributor as well.

They passed over Vince Wilfork, who was there when their number was called. Could've been a HUGE impact on that defense. Rashaun Woods anyone? We're talking about a HEALTHY first round draft pick that couldn't even break into a 4 WR set with Brandon Lloyd, Cedric Wilson, and Curtis Conway. That's just bloody poor right there. Makes me feel a little better about Nelson. And Mike Rumph has been little better.

All that to say, it does look like York is making some better decisions. They paid a heavy price for this year's draft status. Better make the best of it.

 

14 players on IR

 

You're on the same page, even though you're trying to correct me. I'm saying Fox did a hell of a job because of this, and working with less than SF had.

 

The most important qualities of an NFL head coach are consistency and communication. Having a clear objective and staying the course.

X's and O's are great, but if you can't lead, you will be out of a job. Erickson was not, and will never be, a leader of men.

 

On the pro level, Erickson has accomplished nothing.

Couple of 8-8's, a 7-9, 2-14. That is bad.

And as bad as his team was in 2004, the pieces were all there for a solid 2003, and they went 7-9, despite staying relatively healthy. He is a very average football coach, with no sense of stablilty.

 

especially considering the relative strength of the divisions. The Panthers would have won the west handily if we grew some balls to stop Shaun Alexander.

 

Despite the turnovers late in the season, our defense, on the whole, played softer than they have since Fox's arrival. Injuries? Sure.

But this team has got to nut-up and start droppin' the fucking hammer for 60 minutes. Like 2002. We did not allow 100 rushers. This year, we allowed it to happen in the GB, ATL, DEN, and SEA games, all in the first half of the season. For a "top-5 defensive mind", it's totally unacceptable. And, you know, Fox would be the first to say it.

 

I wasn't trying to correct you, just adding something to it complimentary of Fox winning 7 games. Sorry about not wording it better.

About Erickson, I agree w/ you that he is a terrible coach. And he knew what he was getting in to in SF. No one should feel sorry for him or try to rationalize his situation as being in "cap hell". Steve Mariucchi was in cap hell in 1999 & 2000, and he turned it around by winning 22 games in the next 2 years. If you're a good enough coach, you can get the most out of what you have.

 

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Any moron on this board who wants to say that Erickson was not given enough resources/time are out of their mind.

Erickson took the SFO job for three reasons:

1. It was available.
2. York wanted a puppet.
3. Erickson gladly volunteered to be a puppet.

That's the bottom line.