|
When Mike Nolan took over San Francisco's head coaching reins in 2005, he knew the expectations laid out in front of him were immense. Walking into an organization that had no history of success was one thing, but joining one of professional football's most storied franchises put a great responsibility on his shoulders.
Nolan set lofty goals to get the club back into the League's upper echelon while carrying on the winning tradition set by many celebrated players and coaches from the past, including his father, Dick, former 49ers head coach from 1968-75.
"There is an expectation level of performance and we have a responsibility to past players," Nolan confirmed. "That is the responsibility of the players, coaches and the entire organization to get back on track."
Nolan welcomed the task and challenged his team to capture the NFC West title each of his first two seasons, a goal that he says will not change.
"When you go forward, there is no choice in the leadership role," Nolan boldly stated. "You have one choice, and that's to lead and you don't lead from a loser's perspective. You lead from a winner's perspective."
Nolan's burning desire to win was the exact ingredient Owners Denise and John York were looking to add to the 49ers organization when hiring the franchise's 15th head coach on January 19, 2005. It marked the same exact date his father, Dick, was hired by the 49ers 37 years earlier. Growing up under the wing of his father, who captured three straight NFC West Division Championships (1970-72) in San Francisco, gave him an early itch to lead a life dedicated to football and family.
"When I was named the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, it fulfilled a lifelong dream to follow in my father's footsteps," Nolan said. "I have always considered myself one of the 49ers Faithful. And having grown up in the Bay Area, I can say that I was once a fan as well."
Mike and Dick Nolan became the fourth NFL family along with Don and David Shula, Jim Sr. and Jim Mora Jr., and Wade and Bum Phillips to have a father and son handle head coaching roles. Some of Mike Nolan's most vivid childhood memories were watching from his father's shadow on the practice field and in the locker room and building relationships with talents who were some of the greatest to ever play the game.
"Mike was nine years old when I played here when his dad was hired," 49ers Hall of Fame LB Dave Wilcox said. "He used to hang around the locker room. The way he coaches sounds exactly like his dad. Very thorough, knew what he wanted to do, knew he was going to get there. So I'm convinced that he'll do that." | 