Nolan Holds No Bitterness Toward His Former Team

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - Mike Nolan knows a thing or two about the San Francisco 49ers.

His father coached the team. He did, too.

Now, he'll try to keep the 49ers out of the Super Bowl.

These days, Nolan runs the defense for the Atlanta Falcons, who will host San Francisco in the NFC championship game Sunday. He still has fond memories of his first head coaching job, even though he wound up getting fired by the 49ers right in the middle of his fourth straight losing season.

Despite the ugly ending, Nolan insists that beating a team he knows so well won't provide any extra satisfaction.

Like everyone in the Falcons' organization, his eyes are on the Super Bowl. The 49ers just happen to be the ones standing in the way.