by Jay Glazer

Week 7 in the spotlight

Where does your team's game rank among the best and worst? Check out all the highlights and lowlights from Week 7. Also: What we learned from Week 7

Mike Nolan has confirmed to FOX Sports that he has been fired by the San Francisco 49ers. Nolan was informed by team brass late Monday afternoon.

"The decision was difficult, because Mike has been both a friend and valued coach of our team," said 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan, who was hired by Nolan but gained authority over the coach last year. "My first obligation is to do what is in the best interest of our fans and the entire 49ers organization."

It is assumed that current defensive coordinator Mike Singletary will assume Nolan's coaching duties. There were reports earlier Monday that Nolan would be fired after the team's next game Sunday against Seattle, but ownership instead decided not to wait.

"I am confident that Mike Singletary's leadership ability, along with his experience as both a Hall of Fame player and coach, gives him the ability to turn our season around," McCloughan said.

Nolan was in the midst of his fourth season in San Francisco and leaves with an 18-37 record. The 49ers appeared to have hope after a 7-9 season in 2006 — the team's best record in three years at the time.

But the Niners sank to 5-11 last season as Nolan and his one-time franchise quarterback Alex Smith reportedly had a falling out, with the Niners' offense ranking as the league's worst in 2007.

This season's 49ers began with mild hope after beginning the year 2-1, but local media pressure increased during a three-game losing streak.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.