Posted at 12:59 a.m., Thursday, December 27, 2007
NFL: 49ers Nolan won't speculate on assistant's future
Advertiser Staff
San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan claims he doesn't know what his future holds, so he's not about to evaluate the job security of his coaching staff — not even embattled offensive coordinator Jim Hostler."I know what Jim does in preparation, and all of our performances are based on everyone around us as well," Nolan said when asked whether Hostler should be blamed for the 49ers' miserable offense this season. "My own (future) is based on wins and losses, and Jim's is based on the effectiveness of the offense."
If that's the case, San Francisco's fifth offensive coordinator in five years could be in trouble.
Despite scoring a combined 41 points during two straight victories, San Francisco still has the NFL's lowest-ranked offense heading into the season finale at Cleveland.
The 49ers' 3,612 total yards are 551 fewer than Buffalo, the 31st-ranked unit, while San Francisco's 2,247 yards passing are 254 behind the Bills.
San Francisco has showed marginal improvement in the last five weeks after veteran coach Ted Tollner was added to the staff to assist Hostler, but the Niners still rank last in most of the NFL's basic statistical measures of offense, including third-down conversion percentage (31.6) and total first downs (209).
Nolan will meet with owner John York and his family next week to find out his future with the club.
