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Suiting Up: Coaches Mike Nolan and Jack Del Rio Will Dress for Success

by David Kindervater on June 14th, 2007

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL

I’ve never heard of needing permission to wear and suit and tie, but that’s exactly what 49ers head coach Mike Nolan and Jags coach Jack Del Rio got when Commissioner Goodell gave them the thumbs up to look nicer than 30 other coaches. The upscale dress code was the result of nearly three years of negotiations among Coach Nolan, the NFL and Reebok. Though the league determines what apparel can be worn on the sideline, Reebok provides that clothing for coaches — from Bill Belichick’s ratty sweatshirts to the black suit Nolan was allowed to wear in two games last season.

Ever since he got the 49ers’ top job in 2005, Coach Nolan has sought permission to dress like his ex-coach father while projecting an image of authority. Nolan got a trial run last year when both he and Coach Del Rio were allowed to suit up in coat-and-tie ensembles manufactured by Reebok during two home games. But Nolan wanted to wear his old-school outfit at every home game. He saw the move as a tribute to the league’s great coaches of the past — including his father, Dick, who coached the Niners from 1968-75 but is now in poor health with Alzheimer’s disease and prostate cancer.

Coach Nolan’s outfit last season consisted of a black suit, a white shirt and a red-and-gold striped tie. Commissioner Goodell said the new Reebok outfits for the 2007 season must reflect team colors as well, though the details will be worked out later. Other coaches will also be allowed to wear suits at home games if they want — though only Coaches Nolan and Del Rio expressed interest when the league surveyed the coaches during NFL meetings in Arizona back in March.

I wouldn’t want to wear a suit for any reason, especially not at a football game. Ties make me feel like I’m choking and the whole getup just seems too stuffy for the sidelines. Sure it looks nice, but not at a football game. Then again, I just spent the past two years of my life without a pair of “dress” shoes so what do I know?

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POSTED IN: Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers