Mike Martz's dismissal Tuesday means the 49ers are looking for their seventh coordinator in seven years. As troublesome as that trend is, newly named head coach Mike Singletary at least acknowledged it and plans to remedy it.
Singletary issued a statement through the team, and after he got done wishing Martz well on the NFL unemployment line, he said: "I do recognize the need for a long term solution on the offensive side of the ball."
Amen to that. So long as the coordinator Singletary hires can bring a system that will, (a) cater to running back Frank Gore, (b) work well with whoever is next year's starting quarterback, and, (c) sign his contract in blood and swear he won't leave or merit getting fired before 2011.
The 49ers should hire someone with a link to their offensive glory days. You want a name? Tom Rathman, the former 49ers fullback who's done quite well as the Raiders' running backs coach the past two years. Or here's a couple wild-card candidates: Matt Cavanaugh (University of Pittsburgh offensive coordinator), Marty Mornhingweg (Philadelphia Eagles assistant head coach) or Greg Knapp (Raiders outgoing coordinator).
The honor roll, so to speak, of the 49ers' past six coordinators: Knapp (2003), Ted Tollner (2004), Mike McCarthy (2005), Norv Turner (2006), Jim Hostler (2007) and Martz, who revived the offense this past season but just didn't seem like a wise choice to return.
Give Martz credit for demanding perfection from a unit that's been so distant from its once-glorious past. But the offense also floundered in pivotal moments, such as the end of games at Arizona and Miami. And tight end Vernon Davis wasn't utilized enough for all the headache he creates.
We all know Martz prefers a high-flying aerial attack, and the 49ers just aren't built that way around Gore, a revolving door at quarterback and a crop of budding receivers like Jason Hill and Josh Morgan.
If you think Martz's scheme might mesh well with Al Davis' Raiders, you're partly right. But Martz's complex playbook unique and, we must repeat, complex won't be easily adaptable for JaMarcus Russell. There's plenty other offenses that could use Martz's help. Well, other than the 49ers and Detroit Lions, who ditched Martz a year ago.
Martz, in a statement, said: "I had an outstanding conversation with Mike Singletary this afternoon. I believe he will be an outstanding head coach in the National Football League. I wish him nothing but the best. I am not what he is looking for offensively. I understand that. This is just a part of professional sports."
Singletary's full statement: "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."
As for the whereabouts of the past coordinators:
Knapp just finished up a two-year term as the Raiders' coordinator, and although he's expected to take on a similar role next season under new Seattle Seahawks coach Jim Mora, the 49ers' job could be intriguing.
Tollner is the 49ers' quarterbacks coach and is admittedly too far along in age to commit the time that a coordinator's role demands.
Turner is in the AFC playoffs, having just coached the San Diego Chargers to a third straight AFC West title (second under Norv).
Hostler is in the AFC playoffs, acting as the Baltimore Ravens wide receivers coach.
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
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