McCloughan's departure from 49ers imminent

General manager Scot McCloughan did not report to the 49ers' offices in Santa Clara on Thursday, and sources indicate his departure from the organization is imminent. The 49ers issued no official statement to clarify the situation. McCloughan's agent, Peter Schaffer, divulged only that McCloughan would not resign from the post he has held with the 49ers since 2008.

"Scot McCloughan is not resigning as general manager of the San Francisco 49ers," Schaffer said.

It is not known whether McCloughan's departure will be termed "mutual" or whether the 49ers are building a case for firing him. Upon being promoted from director of player personnel to general manager in 2008, McCloughan signed a five-year contract worth approximately $1.25 million annually, a source said.

There were a variety of reports throughout the day. AOL Fanhouse's Nancy Gay reported the 49ers were "cutting ties" with McCloughan due to "personal reasons." ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that McCloughan was placed on an "extended leave of absence." The NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reported McCloughan will lose his title as the 49ers' front office undergoes a "reshaping."

McCloughan, who reportedly watched the NCAA Tournament basketball games at San Jose on Thursday, sent a text to the Sacramento Bee that read, "I know what I did for the organization and I'm really good with it."

McCloughan's sudden uncertainty with the 49ers, first reported by The Press Democrat on Wednesday, is not related to his performance as a talent evaluator. Team president Jed York gave McCloughan an endorsement late in the season.

"I think he's doing a great job," York said of McCloughan on Dec. 14, prior to the 49ers' Monday night game against the Arizona Cardinals.

"When you look at some of the young talent that's starting to emerge ... Scot has a great eye for talent, and I think he's great at working with coach (Mike) Singletary. And together, they're not just trying to find good players, they're trying to find good players that fit the 49ers, and that's something that takes working together to be able to build that."

Players who reported to the 49ers' offseason conditioning program on Thursday were given only a vague update of the developments.

"All they were told was that things were moved out of McCloughan's office," one source said.

McCloughan met Wednesday behind closed doors at the 49ers' offices with the organization's team of upper management. After he left, files were taken out of his office, a source said.

Singletary is expected to take on a greater role in preparation of the NFL draft, April 22-24. The 49ers own first-round draft picks at Nos. 13 and 17.

Trent Baalke enters his third season as 49ers director of player personnel. He oversees the college and professional scouting departments.

Tom Gamble, a 22-year NFL scouting veteran, enters his sixth year as director of pro personnel.

David McCloughan, Scot's brother, is the 49ers' director of college scouting.

With Scot McCloughan's imminent departure, it might mean more responsibility on the football side for Paraag Marathe, who was recently promoted to executive vice president of football and business operations.

You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at matt.maiocco@press

democrat.com.