Nolan To Remain 49ers Coach

Mike Nolan will keep his job as the coach of the San Francisco 49ers but will relinquish final say over personnel decisions, Yahoo! Sports has learned. After two days of deliberation, 49ers owners John and Denise DeBartolo York decided Tuesday to retain Nolan, who has two years left on the five-year contract he signed before the 2005 season. His 16-32 record over three seasons, including a 5-11 mark in '07, put his job in jeopardy, and he will likely make changes to his coaching staff. Nolan, who has also been the 49ers' de facto general manager since joining the franchise, agreed to give up front-office control as a condition of his return. The franchise will hire a general manager to assume those duties, and the leading contender is believed to be current vice president of player personnel Scott McCloughan. With Nolan staying, this likely means the end of the Alex Smith era, and the 49ers will look to trade or release him this offseason. Rumor Update: Nolan will fire offensive coordinator Jim Hostler after only one season, and will look to add Mike Martz who was just fired from being the Lion's O-coordinator.