It may not have the same splash as the introduction of Jim Harbaugh several seasons ago, but the San Francisco 49ers have elected to end their coaching search and go in-house, agreeing to terms with Jim Tomsula to become the 19th head coach in San Francisco 49ers history.
“Our organization is excited to have Jim Tomsula leading this football team,” said 49ers general manager Trent Baalke. “We have had the privilege of working alongside Jim for the past eight seasons. He is a proven leader, teacher and mentor, and we look forward to seeing him apply his craft and vision to our team.”
Tomsula brings continuity to the franchise and a familiar face. More importantly, he works well, one would presume, with Baalke and the rest of the 49ers brass. Harbaugh, Tomsula's predecessor, reportedly clashed with management for much of this past season.
“After conducting a thorough coaching search, and meeting with a number of outstanding candidates, Jim Tomsula clearly is the right man to lead this team,” said 49ers CEO Jed York. “Jim is a great teacher and a tremendous mentor who conducts himself with great class and integrity.”
Tomsula has coached 31 seasons of football at the high school, college, and professional levels since the fall of 1989, including eight (2007-2014) with the 49ers. Named San Francisco’s defensive line coach in 2007, he also served as the team’s interim head coach for the final game of the 2010 season.
Step one for Tomsula will be forming his staff, starting with a new offensive coordinator to replace Greg Roman. Last season, star quarterback Colin Kaepernick performed inconsistently under Roman, and Tomsula will need Kaepernick at his best if the 49ers hope to return to the playoffs next year.
During his 49ers tenure, Tomsula has been instrumental in developing one of the most dominant defenses in the NFL. Since 2007, the 49ers rank fourth in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (98.4) and rushing average (3.72). San Francisco’s defense also ranks third in the NFL in points per game allowed (19.4) and fourth in yards per game allowed (320.9).
In 2011, San Francisco set the NFL record by not allowing a rushing touchdown in their first 14 games of the season. The team surrendered just three rushing touchdowns all year, the fewest allowed in the NFL since the league went to a 16-game schedule in 1978.
Under Tomsula’s tutelage, DT Justin Smith was named to five consecutive Pro Bowls (2009-13) and earned All-Pro honors in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Despite being the fourth overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, Smith had never been selected to either team prior to working with Tomsula.
Other players who have prospered under Tomsula’s direction are LB Ahmad Brooks, DL Glenn Dorsey, LB Aldon Smith and NT Ian Williams, as well as former 49ers DT Isaac Sopoaga and DT Ricky Jean Francois.
Tomsula joined the 49ers after enjoying one of the most successful stints in NFL Europa, where he gained head coaching experience. Prior to being named the head coach of the Rhein Fire in 2006, which made him the youngest head coach in NFLE history at age 38, Tomsula served as the Berlin Thunder’s defensive coordinator for two seasons, winning World Bowl XII in his first season with a defense that ranked first in the NFLE against the run.
Between NFL Europa seasons, Tomsula spent each fall as a member of Division II Catawba College’s coaching staff, since coaching in the NFLE was not a year-round position. He had been a defensive lineman at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC, after transferring from Middle Tennessee State. In 1989, Tomsula began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater following a career-ending knee injury.
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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