Bleacher Report's Jason Cole is reporting that, per a source, San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula's job may be safe for next season if the team is competitive down the stretch this season.
Cole, the same person that reported that ex-49ers LB Patrick Willis was considering a comeback, states that the only way Tomsula would be let go is if the team were to 'nose dive' during their remaining games – meaning they would need to be blown out during a number of those match-ups. If the team were to be competitive during those games, even losing a number of them, Tomsula would likely be back for another season.
"If this team continues to be competitive as it has over the past four games – it's won two of its past four – to kind of right the ship, then everything is going to be okay for Tomsula and he should remain as the coach next season," says Cole.
Will Jim Tomsula be back with the #49ers in 2016?
— 49erswebzone (@49erswebzone) November 19, 2015
If accurate, what this means is that we will be able to determine Tomsula's fate based on the team's performances in these final games of the season. Even if they lose the majority of their games, if those games are determined by management to be 'competitive,' then Tomsula would remain.
The 49ers will face the Seahawks in Seattle on Sunday, November 22.
| 49ers' Last Four Games | ||
| Baltimore Ravens | W | 25-20 |
| Seattle Seahawks | L | 3-20 |
| at St. Louis Rams | L | 6-27 |
| Atlanta Falcons | W | 17-16 |
What is interesting about the report is that Cole states that the 49ers have been competitive over their past four games. They were anything but competitive against the Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams – so take this report for what it is worth.
Cole's report of a possible Patrick Willis comeback was shot down by Willis himself in record time.