Mike Martz Fired After 1 Season With 49ers

Just two days after Mike Singletary was handed a new contract to stay on as the 49ers' head coach, he has already cut ties with offensive coordinator Mike Martz, firing him after just one season in San Francisco. The initial reports following Singletary's hiring were that he would have the power to choose his assistant coaches. Despite this, a report from Jay Glazer of FOX Sports seemed to indicate that he was urged to go in another direction in regards to the offensive coordinator position, which seems to contradict his ability to pick and choose coaches.

Bottom line: Martz is no longer with the 49ers. During his one year with the team, the offense improved from the absolute worst in the league in 2007, to somewhat mediocre in 2008. His biggest failing was probably his loyalty to journeyman backup quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan, and, allegedly, creating ways to keep him on the field. Once O'Sullivan played his way out of the starting job, Shaun Hill proved he was the best option on the roster.

As for Martz, here's what he had to say on the move, from Matt Maiocco of the Press Democrat:

"He wants to run the ball," Martz said in a phone interview from his office. "I'm not what he's looking for on offense. That's his business."

And that seems to be what it always comes down to with Martz: his reluctance to run the ball. The 49ers ranked 27th in the NFL in terms of rushing attempts with 397, which is actually 40 more attempts than they had in 2007 when they finished 31st in the league. The only team to run the ball fewer times in '07? Mike Martz and the Detroit Lions.

Singletary issued the following statement on Martz:

"After an evaluation period I felt it was best to go in a different direction. This was not an easy decision because I appreciate Mike Martz, and I enjoyed working with him. He is a true professional, and I wish him the best in the future. I do recognize the need for a long term solution on the offensive side of the ball."

The 49ers showed plenty of improvement down the stretch, and they already have a rock-solid running back in place with fourth-year veteran Frank Gore to carry Singletary's run-first style.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-30-2008 @ 7:38PM

racn1 said...

MIKE SINGLETARY ALBEIT A GREAT PLAYER, WILL FAIL MISERABLY AS A HEAD COACH. HIS BASHING STYLE WILL ONLY ALIENATE PLAYERS AND STAFF. I SEE SAN FRAN AS AN 8-8 TEAM AT BEST FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS AND THEN ITS BYE BYE MIKEY! AND THEY'LL WISH THEY HAD MIKE MARTZ BACK.

12-30-2008 @ 8:14PM

obo said...

If Shanahan can swallow his ego, this is the best job he can get. Nobody will give him personnel decisions for the whole team, and no coach gameplans the run better.

12-30-2008 @ 8:15PM

Lou Nacho 242 said...

the "9ers aren't worth the ink!

12-30-2008 @ 8:23PM

roy said...

just when a team is starting to come together and play really good..they go and do this.............im changing teams im jumping on detroits band wagon while theirs plenty of room

12-30-2008 @ 8:33PM

dave said...

Why did they stop using Walsh's playbook? West coast offense/wins games. Especially the 49er version

12-31-2008 @ 2:34PM

dubbz3030 said...

Bring back the WCOffense. Fankis Goris is a beast and a playmaker. it opens up passing lanes for our Starting QB S. Hill (hopefully) in 09'!!!!!

12-31-2008 @ 3:53PM

Glock said...

Man, Shanahan is the Denver offense power. With the coach (Singletary) running the defense and the mental side and Shanahan taking Alex Smith under his wing and running the ball. That woudl be sweat.

1-01-2009 @ 8:42AM

Mike Brady said...

Shanahan won't be taking orders from a Black dude. He's already stuck with Osama Bin-Biden for 4 years.

1-01-2009 @ 11:34AM

Ethan said...

Oh, ye of little memory. Martz is the one who cost the Niners the playoffs this year. He conspired to make up a bogus injury to Hill so that his boy, Just Turnover O' Sullivan could start. How can anyone trust the OC duties to such an obvious moron. Remember that he coached the Greatest Show on Turf. They won only 1 Super Bowl and that was by 1 yard! With that team, the Rams should have won 2 or 3 Super Bowls. Martz is way overrated. This is Singletary's team and with the players actually trying now, I see them in the playoffs next season. Go Niners!!!!!!!!

1-01-2009 @ 5:55PM

Chris said...

Blame Mike Martz for the Niners not making the playoffs? You have got to be kidding!!
What was their record last season?
Their offense has improved 10 fold under Mike Martz.
It will be the Niners loss!

1-01-2009 @ 9:08PM

I will try to type slower so that you can understand the words coming out of my keyboard. If Hill would have been starting quarterback at the beginning of the year and not Just Turnover, Martz's choice, then the Niners would have been in the playoffs. Comprenda?