Neither one believes that quarterback is on the current roster.

Neither mean that as any disrespect to Shaun Hill and the admiral job he did while starting the final eight games of 2008.

But Hill is not the long-term answer at the once-sacred 49ers quarterback throne. The 49ers are thinking about long-term offensive solutions, and that goes for the quarterback and coordinator they're now hunting.

Yes, Hill is a gritty leader who'll run without a helmet for the first down marker. Yes, he can engineer a last-minute scoring drive that wins a game. Yes, he can make the occasional throw that keeps alive a drive. Yes, he's a great guy.

Hill just has too many flaws in his passing game -- and too much air under some throws -- to keep defenses honest against a 49ers offense that will rely more heavily on the running game under Singletary and whomever he appoints as offensive coordinator.

A majority of Singletary's season-summary monologue Tuesday -- I was away on family matters, but watched the press conference video later on the team's Web site -- dealt with how he and McCloughan will interact.

Come on, folks, of course Singletary believes they're on the same page, just as you'd expect only a few days after McCloughan gave Singletary a four-year contract to remain as coach after a nine-game interimship.

What's especially pertinent is they both believe they need a new quarterback, and that McCloughan will share in the interview process to find a new offensive coordinator.

Who has the trigger? McCloughan probably does, even though Singletary believes he has say on the 53-man roster. But Singletary, unlike Mike Nolan, dismisses the "trigger" concept in a very convincing way.

"It's very important than we have a compromising spirit between us," Singletary said. "I'm trying to teach a team to work together and compromise and understand what 'one' means. Scot and I are going to have to lead that way and be an example that way.

"...In order for us to win, to be successful, we must -- it's not an option -- we must work together. If we don't, we're dead, we're done."

Hill's chances to return as starter aren't dead, unless the 49ers can't unearth a suitable starter via free agency (Matt Cassel, Charlie Frye, Rex Grossman, J.P. Losman, Jeff Garcia), a trade (Derek Anderson) or the draft.

"I'm not prepared to say right now whether Shaun Hill would go into training camp as the starter," Singletary said. "It depends on what we do this offseason."

Singletary wouldn't address Alex Smith's uncertain status, though you've got to figure he's gone considering his bloated salary figure and uncertain shoulder health.

On to other matters:

Besides adding a quarterback (I recommend adding two), Singletary believes the 49ers need another offensive lineman (guard or tackle), a couple pass rushers and a free safety who can actually make an interception, unlike Mark Roman. Another wide receiver, running back, cornerback and defensive tackles also should go on Singletary's wish list.

Besides dismissing offensive coordinator Mike Martz on Monday, Singletary also cut loose quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner and running backs coach Tony Nathan. Tollner is a great guy who's 68 and still has a passion for the game. He's not ready to retire.

Singletary explained that Martz and him had clashing offensive philosophies. Singletary said his is to run a little bit more than pass. He said it's a "traditional one," and he even compared it to the tradition Bill Walsh established with the 49ers 25 years ago.

"The most important thing to me is be able to run," Singletary said. "You have to know that you can run the Football. I'm not trying to outsmart anybody. I'm not trying to be a magician. We're playing Football and we need to be able to run the Football."

Outsmart anybody? Be a magician? Sounds like Martz's bio.

It's understandable to question the Football hierarchy as it's set up. Just look at the relative inexperience of team president Jed York, first-time head coach Singletary and McCloughan, who took over full personnel control not even a year ago as general manager. But Singletary believes that combination will "do just fine" so long as they communicate.

On McCloughan, Singletary said: "(He) may be young but he's beyond his years in knowing what the heck is going on around the league. That's a testament to his father (Kent, a long-time Raiders scout and former Raiders cornerback)."

On Jed York, Singletary said: "He is a guy that is not telling you that 'I know.' He's a guy that asks a lot of questions and there's wisdom in that."

On brining in a more experienced voice, Singletary said that runs the risk "a big risk" of stifling the energy, excitement and ideas that may sound outside the box. He may be right, but there's also a very big risk of turning over a maligned franchise to three men as capable as they seem who are relatively inexperienced at their current craft.

Offensive coordinator update: Singletary said he and McCloughan are in the process of putting together a list of candidates and they've yet to interview anyone. They better hurry up. The Raiders, Lions, Rams, Broncos, Jets and Browns are looking for new head coaches and likely new offensive coordinators as well.

Singletary always seems to enlighten us on something. Tuesday, he credited McCloughan for the 49ers' 2007 discovery of linebacker Patrick Willis. Singletary actually said he was "disappointed" the first time he watched tape of Willis' Mississippi days. But after hearing of the adversity Willis overcame along the way to the NFL, Singletary switched his mind and endorsed the linebacker who's become a two-time Pro Bowler.

Look for Cam Inman's Web-only "Candid Cam" takes whenever there's a breaking sports story, or whenever Cam's got something to say _ in short, just about every day. You can reach Cam at cinman@bayareanewsgroup.com