nolan

Dick Nolan was a great San Francisco 49er coach. He single-handedly turned around what was a dog of a franchise. He was always classy. I admired him and I beleive that his success in the early 70’s made it possible for the great Bill Walsh to follow him.

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From AP:

Dick Nolan, the former coach of the San Francisco 49ers and the father of current 49ers coach Mike Nolan, died Sunday, the 49ers said. He was 75.

Dick Nolan, a former NFL defensive back who also coached the New Orleans Saints, had been in declining health with Alzheimer’s disease and prostate cancer for several years. He spent the last few months at an assisted-care facility in the Dallas area, near his longtime home with his wife, Ann.

Mike Nolan missed practice with the 49ers on Friday and Saturday, traveling back to Texas to be with his father. Team spokesman Aaron Salkin said Nolan would coach the 49ers on Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks.  (more…)