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Nedney kicks 49ers past Redskins; Singletary named coach

Dec 29, 2008 - 2:04 AM SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Mike Singletary's hard work paid off in the form of a permanent head coaching job.

Shaun Hill threw for 245 yards and led a game-winning drive that was capped by Joe Nedney's 39-yard field goal as Singletary's San Francisco 49ers posted a 27-24 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

Hill finished 21-of-30 with one touchdown and ran for another, leading the 49ers (7-9) to their fifth win in seven games.

Frank Gore ran for 58 yards on 11 carries and Jason Hill caught a TD pass for San Francisco, which improved to 5-4 under Singletary, who had the interim tag removed from his name after the contest.

"I am very excited, very proud, and very humbled to be the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers," Singletary said. "The most important thing for us going forward is to all be on the same page as an organization. We are going to work hard in the offseason to take this team to the next level."

Clinton Portis ran for 80 yards and a score for Washington (8-8), which tied the game on a 2-yard TD run by quarterback Jason Campbell with 1:15 to play. However, as they have consistently under Singletary, the 49ers responded to the challenge.

"It's a letdown," Redskins first-year head coach Jim Zorn said. "Our defense battled at the end, but their quarterback made some plays to get them in position to win."

Shaun Hill orchestrated an eight-play, 51-yard drive and hit Bryant Johnson for 24 yards to the Washington 21-yard line, setting up Nedney for the game-winner.

"The next three months would have been hard had I finished with a miss," Nedney said. "Now it's all smiles after this one."

The 49ers officially named Singletary as their 16th head coach moments after the win.

"Mike Singletary's leadership ability has galvanized the players and coaching staff to deliver improved results on the field," 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan said in a statement.

"By turning the second half of the season around, he has accomplished what few interim head coaches have been able to do. After discussions with ownership, we agree that Mike has earned the head coach position. I look forward to working with Mike to continue to build on the momentum he has created as we prepare for the 2009 season."

San Francisco took the lead, 21-17, on a 9-yard TD pass from Shaun Hill to Jason Hill with 9:53 left in the fourth. Campbell then drove the Redskins 55 yards in 10 plays, capping the drive by scrambling in from 2 yards out.

Hill's 2-yard run put San Francisco up, 7-0, midway through the first quarter. Washington rattled off 17 straight points and took a 17-7 lead at the break when Campbell hit Antwaan Randle El for a 6-yard score. Campbell finished 18-of-30 for 156 yards.

DeShaun Foster's 1-yard plunge pulled the 49ers to within 17-14 with 11:19 left in the third.

"It was important for us to come away with a win," Hill said. "Like coach said, 'This isn't the end, it's the beginning.' Even though we were out of it, we knew we were preparing for the future."