What was (is) the most exciting time to be a 9er fan since their last playoff W?

The Nolan hiring was the most exciting time as a 49ers fan.

If you guys don't remember...

We had the most PATHETIC team under Dennis Erickson (though that was Donahue's fault)... After falling that low, we knew it was because of the Yorks and their disregard for what made us great. We thought the Yorks didn't care about winning.

And then that one day we find out that the Yorks (tried) to turn over a new leaf and CLEANED HOUSE... firing both Donahue AND Erickson. Of course, we didn't know then that they were going to fail miserably to get the 49ers back to their winning ways. But at that point, they seemed sincere that they wanted to win. I still think they're sincere... just... incompetent now.

Originally posted by Pick6:
I feel bad for fans who have just followed the 9ers for the last 8 years or so... there really hasn't been much to get excited about.

HOF inductions (a sad reminder of what used to be)

Kudos to those of you who became fans after 2002... hopefully Jed will get things turned around and get the organization back to its winning ways.

the last time i was so excited watching the niners was last year against the vikings.
Why ? cos we had a winning record and we played a good game against tremendous opposition in their backyards. I had hopes of a turnaround. Well i just smashed my headset in disgust after that favre Td pass, the first time i broke something since i root for the niners (1984 btw).
Since then my passion is slolwy put aside that helps me manage the anger that i have deep down, to see a tremendous heritage go down in flames.
I know i still have great passion inside, very big in fact, more than ever, but i can't take it anymore. I have stopped watching games by halftime like never before in any season. I didn't even watch some of the games. Just knew they were going to blow it. Hope i still have cos there is another day and another coaching staff coming around although the biggest concern of mine is the scouting departement. Someone's gonna take care of 'hem. They just cannot find talent past the first round ...

I didnt start following until 03, i'd have to say 06 was my favorite year... They only went 7-9 but there was something fun about watching Alex improve, Frank Gore demolishing everybody, Vernons Rookie year, Walt Harris' 8 INTs, eliminating the Broncos from the play offs, Spencer killing Jon Kitna etc

I'd probably say the 2007 offseason.

Gore just rushed for a team record in single season yardage. Proved himself to be a beast. We won impressively late in the year against quality opponents on the road (@Sea, @Den). Alex looked like he was ready to make the leap from competent to a good effin' QB, especially after that Seattle game. Our OL was rock solid. We drafted Patrick Willis, signed Nate Clements and Michael Lewis to fat deals. Traded for Darrell Jackson and signed Ashley Lelie. All those guys were former Pro Bowlers except Lelie, who was a 1,000 yard WR in Denver. I thought we were winning 11 or 12 games that year.

Then we all quickly found out who Jim Hostler was and Alex showed his true colors.

Favorite game: 49ers Seahawks 2006 Alex Smith's comeback
Favorite offseason day: Crabtree draft - i was pumped

2007 NFL DRAFT : Houston passes on Willis at 10, 49ers draft him at 11

All my excitement has been followed with disappointment, I don't get my hopes up anymore.