SAN FRANCISCO – Others will declare that Mike Singletary should be handed the 49ers coaching job based on two consecutive wins, including Sunday's defeat of the New York Jets.
But you won't read that here. That's because for every trial balloon floated for why Singletary has "earned" the 49ers job without the "interim" label, there is a needle.
To wit: Singletary's players are competing hard for him, and that's why he should get a multi-year deal, many say.
OK, but for this franchise to move forward, you want a lot of the current players replaced by better players.
Then there is the argument that Singletary is a gambler. He began Sunday's 24-14 win with an (unsuccessful) on-side kick. He was 2 of 2 on fourth-and-one plays. He preaches "passion" and puts great stock in the theatrics of motivating men.
Gambling is only a virtue when you win. What if the Jets had scored a touchdown instead of going three-and-out after recovering the game-opening gamble?
Back when a home win was expected around here, the 49ers shunned gambling and motivational speeches. Results inspired passion – not the other way around.
Besides, if the 49ers ownership really wants Singletary, isn't that a bad sign?
The York family once embraced Terry Donahue's muddled thinking. They followed the woeful Dennis Erickson at coach with the overmatched Mike Nolan. They used the No. 1 pick of the NFL draft on Alex Smith.
Those bad decisions led to five consecutive losing seasons before this one – which could end at 8-8 if Singletary wins his final three games. More than simple mediocrity will be required for the 49ers to win on the road next week against a surging Miami and to wrest a final-game victory from Washington.
If they do that, then we'll talk. A lot of good could happen in the next three games for Singletary. Or a lot of bad can happen, as the Jets can attest after dropping their second in a row after big wins against Tennessee and New England.
Please understand. Sunday was a nice win for the 49ers. The Jets would be alone atop the AFC East but for the 49ers.
"The 49ers defense doesn't get a lot of credit but they deserve more," said Jets quarterback Brett Favre after one of his worst performances all season. "(The 49ers) are on their way to being pretty good."
Singletary hinted on Sunday that he saw holes in the Jets vaunted run defense and set about exploiting them. He spoke of liking the effort of his players but wanting them to be "smarter."
That's great, but Mike Nolan sounded great, too. The point is: The 49ers must make an analytical decision on a head coach instead of an emotional one. They have the benefit of a coach auditioning in real games, why not take full advantage?
It means Singletary gets punished a little for the flaws of his predecessors. But he has broad shoulders.
He could be a great coach. It's time for him to prove it.
Call The Bee's Marcos Bretón, (916) 321-1096.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.