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49ers’ York ponders replacing Singletary
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary during an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010, in San Diego.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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San Francisco 49ers' Ted Ginn runs a punt back 78-yards for a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010, in St. Louis.
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
San Francisco 49ers president Jed York at an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints in San Francisco, Monday, Sept. 20, 2010.
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS
Mike Singletary’s days with the San Francisco 49ers appear numbered.
Team president Jed York addressed reporters after the Niners’ 25-17 loss Sunday and was noncommittal about whether Singletary will coach the season finale at home next Sunday against Arizona.
York said money isn’t an object in this decision considering Singletary has two years remaining on his contract.
“We’re going to take our time before we make any decisions like that. We don’t want to make an emotional decision right now, after the game,” York said. “Obviously, we didn’t achieve the things we set out to achieve.
“We should be a playoff team. We aren’t a playoff team this year. Very disappointed about that. We need to figure out how we can get into the playoffs and how we can start competing for Super Bowls.”
“Money is no object,” York said. “I mean, our object is to win the Super Bowl, year in and year out be there and compete for Super Bowls. We’re going to make sure we get this right.”
San Francisco (5-10) was eliminated from playoff contention in a season that began with high hopes of winning the NFC West and reaching the postseason for the first time since 2002.
“It’s very disappointing. Words can’t express the disappointment that the players feel, or myself or the staff,” Singletary said. “You know what, I’ll put it this way: a personal failure.
“I’m the head coach of this team and obviously wanted us to do better, felt that we could do better.
“There are some obvious questions that I hoped would be answered as the season went on, and obviously were not answered. When that happens, you end up out of the playoffs.
“I take full responsibility for every unanswered question.”
The 49ers began 0-5 and will finish with a losing record for the seventh time in eight years.
When asked if he thinks he will be back as coach, Singletary said: “I don’t know. That’s not my decision.”
While Singletary and quarterback Troy Smith squabbled on the sideline, Rams rookie Sam Bradford stayed veteran calm.
The No. 1 overall draft pick helped keep the Rams’ playoff drive motoring along, also breaking Peyton Manning’s NFL rookie record for completions.
Eclipsing Manning’s 12-year-old mark was nice. Helping the Rams (7-8) stay on track to end a five-year playoff drought in a winner-take-all game for the NFC West title next week was a much bigger deal.
“I guess it’s pretty cool,” Bradford said of the record. “I’m all fired up about the win. If you don’t get excited for a game like this, you’re probably in the wrong business.”
Bradford broke out of a three-game slump of no touchdown passes and five interceptions.
The Rams’ defense kept both of the Smiths on the run, sacking Troy Smith and Alex Smith two times apiece. Singletary gave Troy Smith one more series after a heated exchange late in the third quarter, then benched him after the 49ers went three-and-out on their first possession of the fourth quarter.