Mike Nolan
| Record at Pro Football Reference |
Mike Nolan (born March 7, 1959 in Baltimore, Maryland) is the former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2005 to 2008.
College Years
Nolan attended the University of Oregon and was a three-year letterman in football and starter at safety.
Coaching career
He coached at the collegiate level at Stanford University, Rice University, and LSU before moving on to the National Football League.
The son of former San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints head coach, Dick Nolan, he signed with the 49ers in 2005 to be head coach, following in his father's footsteps. Nolan joined San Francisco after establishing himself as the defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, a position he held with three other teams: New York Jets (2000), Washington Redskins (1997-99), and New York Giants (1993-96). Nolan finished the 2005 season with a 4-12 record. Nolan led a late season run and the 49ers improved in 2006 to 7-9. That led to expectations for the 2007 season, which included 9 wins and a playoff appearance. The season started well at 2-0, but an 8 game losing streak ended all hope of a playoff run. Nolan has been under intense scrutiny in the Bay Area. After the season, Nolan lost his general manager position, and is now just the head coach. Nolan was fired on October 20, 2008, being replaced by Assistant Head Coach Mike Singletary.
Suit Issue
Following his hiring by the 49ers, Nolan asked the NFL for permission to wear a suit and tie on the sidelines as a tribute to his father. The league initially denied Nolan's request because of the contract it has with Reebok for its coaches to wear team-logo attire, a ruling that was changed during Nolan's second season as coach. In the new NFL policy, coaches were allowed to wear a full suit for only two home games per season. The suits were designed, marketed and labeled under the Reebok corporation. Nolan debuted the suit in a game at home against the Seattle Seahawks on November 19, 2006. A day later, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio sported another Reebok suit on Monday Night Football. Both coaches won their weekend games.
After further lobbying on the part of Nolan, the NFL and Reebok reached an agreement to allow suits to be worn at all home games in the 2007 season.[1]
Radio Show
During football season, Mike Nolan comes on with Murph & Mac every Tuesday at 8:00 AM on KNBR. He also comes on other shows occasionally.
Coaching Tree
Mike Nolan has been linked to more than one coaching tree. He was a defensive coordinator for Brian Billick (who is part of the Bill Walsh coaching tree), Al Groh (who is part of the Bill Parcells coaching tree), and also Norv Turner (part of the Jimmy Johnson tree). However, Nolan truly "cut his teeth" under the tutelage of Dan Reeves. Reeves brought Nolan with him from Denver (where he was Linebackers Coach) to New York to be the Giants Defensive Coordinator in 1993. Nolan excelled at the position and his success served as a springboard for later success with other teams. Nolan's strongest roots are in the Dan Reeves Coaching tree.
Personal life
Married (to Kathy Nolan) with four children, and a devout Roman Catholic.[2] His sons are sometimes seen on the sidelines. He has three brothers and two sisters.
Mike Nolan's father, former 49ers coach Dick Nolan, passed away at age 75 on November 11, 2007, just a day before Mike's 49ers were to take on the Seattle Seahawks. Nolan decided to coach the Monday Night Football game in honor of his dad, but was not able to get the win.
Trivia
Named Esquire Magazine's 11th Best Dressed Man in World.