Embattled San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary was finally fired Sunday night, following months of speculation and a 25-17 loss to the St. Louis Rams that officially eliminated his club from playoff contention.

2010 was a tough year for the 49ers, marked by a five game losing streak to begin the season and a quarterback controvery that brewed, surprisingly, between first-overall draft pick Alex Smith and free agent backup and Heisman laureate Troy Smith. Troy was picked to start for Week 16 despite recent struggles but, following a shouting match with Singletary, was replaced by Alex in the fourth quarter. The 49ers’ loss was marked by a number of mishaps and penalties, including a safety and a missed field goal from 34 yards out that started their unraveling.

Singletary will be replaced on an interim basis by Defensive Line Coach Jim Tomsula, according to NFL.com. Singletary, a Hall of Fame linebacker with the Chicago Bears in a previous life, was 18-22 in three years of coaching the 49ers, who haven’t made the playoffs since the 2002 season.