Nolan became testy and abrupt today when asked to comment on co-owner Denise DeBartolo York's suggestion the struggling 49ers (2-8) might hire a general manager next season. Such a move would take away Nolan's complete control of San Francisco's football operations.

"There will be a time and a place to speak about that, and it will be January," said Nolan, who claimed the York family has never broached such an idea to him. "Whatever it is, I want to do what's best for the 49ers (so) that we can get on track and win some games."

DeBartolo York, the sister of former owner Eddie DeBartolo, granted a rare interview to the San Francisco Chronicle on Tuesday. Saying she was "devastated" by the 49ers' eight-game losing streak, she gave a vote of confidence to Nolan, but also suggested San Francisco could use a general manager.

When Nolan was hired nearly three years ago, he got control over all aspects of football operations even though the career assistant had never been a personnel executive or a head coach. Scot McCloughan is the 49ers' top personnel executive, but he reports to Nolan.

That unorthodox arrangement — usually only enjoyed by veteran head coaches such as Bill Belichick and Andy Reid — worked fairly well until this season, when the 49ers fell apart with the NFL's worst offense.

Nolan was more interested in talking about his latest step to help that terrible offense. He hired veteran coach Ted Tollner on Tuesday as an assistant who will work in the same office with Jim Hostler, San Francisco's much-criticized first-year offensive coordinator.

On Monday, the same day Nolan said there were no helpful coaches "on the street" to help out, Nolan called the former USC and San Diego State coach with a cry for help. Though Tollner will be in the booth with Hostler, Nolan emphasized Hostler will continue to call plays.

"I understand my role, and there's no threat there," said Tollner, most recently Detroit Lions offensive coordinator in 2005 before Steve Mariucci was fired. "I'm just here to add another set of eyes, and that's really it. Mike didn't ask me to come in here and add ideas."

Nolan attempted to hire Tollner for his first staff with the 49ers in 2005, but Tollner went to the Lions after spending the three previous years with San Francisco. Nolan compared Tuesday's hiring to the Washington Redskins' decision in 1999 to hire veteran coach Bill Arnsparger to work with Nolan, the defensive coordinator.

That one didn't turn out so well: Nolan was with the New York Jets one year later.

"When I did the same thing, sure, there's some reluctance in doing it," Nolan said. "But if you're a team player, you'll always have the team in mind first. Just accepting it is the right thing to do."

As if Nolan didn't have enough worries with the 49ers' losing streak, his tenuous job status and Sunday's trip to face the Arizona Cardinals, he's also waiting to hear whether his assistant head coach is leaving town.

Mike Singletary, Nolan's right-hand man for three seasons, had a lengthy interview with officials at Baylor on Tuesday. Singletary played at Baylor before his Hall of Fame career as a linebacker with the Chicago Bears, and two of his children attend the school.

"He's very interested in the job, I'm certain of that," Nolan said. "I know he has the desire to be a head coach at some level. I don't know where it's at, other than that."