What’s Really Shakin Down at Monster Park?
by Nick Newton
December 15th, 2004- You can’t tell it by looking at the San Francisco sunset casting its golden shroud over the empty field at Monster Park. It’s impossible to know it by looking through the empty halls of the front office this holiday season, every paperclip and staple counted and nestled snug in its place. You couldn’t even know it by watching the 49ers overtime victory in Arizona this past weekend; But the San Francisco 49ers organization is in more turmoil now, than it has ever been in the past. Never before has the front office, ownership, coaching, and even fan base been in such a whirlwind of rumors and changes. Much like the sunset mentioned above, York and the upper management has shrouded most of what’s going on downtown from the media. Never in the relative history of the club has the fan base been so divided with their opinions. Some say John York is the problem, with his "penny pinching and frugal spending". Others vehemently disagree with that, citing that York has spent more this off-season on contracts than any other NFL team. Some say it’s Donahue and his horrible personnel decisions. The supporters point out that Donahue was hand picked by Bill Walsh to lead the team as General Manager. The minority say that the team needs new coaching, and that Erickson cannot succeed in the NFL. Even with Erickson gone in a hypothetical situation, everyone has their opinion on who would best fill the head coaching job.
With rumors abounding on what I like to call "The Erickson Issue" that’s the part that I am going to focus on. At first, reports came that Erickson was being considered for the Washington coaching job, though that particular story was put down quickly. As early as last week rumors that Erickson was looking for a way out, and that a rift existed between the management and coaching, spawned the story that Dennis was being looked at as a candidate by Ole Miss for their vacant head coaching job. The fans that want Erickson ousted held on to this through late Wednesday, when ESPN reported that he was no longer being considered. Still though, the die-hard fan claims that he will be gone after this season.
No matter the situation, (and in all reality it could still be any number of possibilities. We all know the 49ers are known to be tight lipped and even to embellish the truth until the final decision is made.), the blue collar 49er fan can certainly hold onto high hopes of better days and changed plans. Certainly there is something going on behind those closed board-room doors. Certainly there are some major changes coming this off season, be it coaching, starting roster, or even upper management. Even if the front office doesn’t allow a peep to seep about what’s shakin down at Monster Park, there will be much to look forward to in the very near future.
My Take: Although I have said since day 1 of this controversy, that I wouldn’t mind seeing Erickson stay and show what he’s capable of, I am going to renege. All of this talk of change, and better days ahead has me flipped. I think despite Erickson not getting a college job thus far, he will be asked to fire one of his assistants after this year, and will thusly resign. As far as candidates, I would be completely happy seeing Jim Fassel, Mike Holmgren, Mike Shanahan, or some other heavy hitter from a current NFL team. Although Holmgren is at the top of my list. I am nervous about Donahue and York’s decision making, and worried that if Erickson does go, the replacement will be sub-par. The truth is that nobody really knows anything about what is going on behind those doors and in those offices. But there has to be something going on. Doesn’t there?
