SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Shaun Hill (FSY) has earned the nod as the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback, beating out Alex Smith (FSY).

Coach Mike Singletary made the announcement before Monday afternoon’s practice at the team’s Santa Clara headquarters. Singletary had been hesitant to say who was leading the competition and each QB earned one exhibition start. Neither did much to distinguish himself in those outings according to Singletary, who hadn’t planned to name his starter until after Saturday’s preseason game at the Dallas Cowboys.

This isn’t a big surprise considering how Hill finished last season. He’s also never lost at home as a starter at Candlestick Park in five games the last two years.

Hill, 29, showed up at training camp saying he believed he would win the job — and Singletary had repeatedly said he expected Smith would have to take the job from Hill. Singletary, offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye and quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson (FSY) came to the decision together.

Hill, undrafted out of Maryland and entering his eighth NFL season, began his career with the Minnesota Vikings before signing with the Niners as an unrestricted free agent in June 2006. He has never started a season opener and has only 10 career starts.

He went 5-3 over the Niners’ final eight games last season and was 2-0 as a fill-in starter in 2007. He has shown he can lead the team and, ultimately, win. Hill’s success down the stretch helped Singletary get the interim tag removed from his title heading into 2009 — and led to the coach’s latest decision.

Smith missed all of the 2008 season after reinjuring his surgically repaired throwing shoulder. He has shown plenty of positive signs during training camp that he’s back and ready to help the team.

The 49ers open the season at Arizona on Sept. 13.

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