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Niners Fire Jim Tomsula — Who Will San Francisco Target For His Replacement

By Ernie Howell
Published on: 15:59 PST, Jan 3, 2016

The San Francisco 49ers fired Jim Tomsula after the team’s season-ending loss, Sports Illustrated reported late Sunday night.

In a statement about the former Niners head coach, San Francisco owner Jed York spoke highly about Jim Tomsula.

“Jimmy has been a valuable member of the 49ers organization for the last nine years. We all know he is a man of high character, and his contributions on the field and in our community have always been greatly appreciated. This entire organization is proud and grateful to have worked so closely alongside Jimmy. We all wish him and his family great success in the future.”

Jim Tomsula took over the Niners after a messy divorce from previous head coach Jim Harbaugh. Under Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco went to three straight NFC Championship games, including a Super Bowl against the Baltimore Ravens. Yet an 8-8 record in 2014 forced Harbaugh to look at alma mater Michigan for his next head coaching opportunity.

Jim Tomsula had limited head coaching experience before being hired by the San Francisco 49ers. His only time leading a team was when the Niners fired Mike Singletary in 2010, serving as the team’s interim coach for one game. Because of that one game, Tomsula’s official record will be 6-11. Before that, Tomsula only spent one year running a team, leading the 2006 Rhein Fire to a 6-4 record.

Jim had his hand’s full before the team ever took a snap. Several veterans over the summer to retirement. After a 1-4 start to the season, issues with the team’s star quarterback – Colin Kaepernick – began to surface. A mid-season demotion led to further problems as the team finished 5-11 following Sunday’s victory over the St. Louis Rams.

Bleacher Report doesn’t think the San Francisco opening is as attractive as others that could be open this season, ranking the job ninth out of a potential 10 openings this off-season. Calling the owner situation “over-involved,” the next Niners coach will have some issues dealing with a front office that doesn’t make the sound decisions, Ryan Van Bibber wrote.

“Winning a lot of games didn’t actually work out very well for the guy before Tomsula, and GM Trent Baalke and CEO Jed York chose loyalty over experience, competence and anything else that you’d generally look for in a head coach. So probably not a great place to work, as the 49ers’ last coaching search proved.”

In the same article, San Francisco was reportedly seeking to speak with New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Peyton about the job opening. Peyton has worked on the West Coast before, starting his career as an offensive assistant with the San Diego State Aztecs and returning a second time in the 1990s. Peyton is regarded as an offensive genius, having led the Saints to their only Super Bowl victory in 2009.

Adam Gase will also garner attention during the search. Currently, the Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator, Gase interviewed for the position in 2015 but declined the position, Fansided reported. Will time and the elimination of Jim Tomsula from the picture change Gase’s mind about San Francisco? For a first-time head coaching position, Gase may choose to look elsewhere.

Jim Tomsula could also be replaced by Chip Kelly. The former Philadelphia Eagles coach was shown the door earlier this week, ending a three-year stint that had led to a playoff victory during his first season. But his name will be on the list for most fans – if not the GMs – this off-season, and Kelly may choose to avoid the Niners.

What do you think about the Niners decision to end Jim Tomsula’s reign in San Francisco? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

[Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images]

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