On Sunday night, the San Francisco 49ers sent out a press release announcing that head coach Jim Tomsula has been fired.
"Jimmy has been a valuable member of the 49ers organization for the last nine years," team CEO Jed York said in a statement released by the team. "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."
Now that 49ers have parted ways with Jim Tomsula, they are expected to explore idea of hiring Saints HC Sean Payton, per @mortreport and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 4, 2016
York has a press conference at Levi's Stadium scheduled for Monday at 10:30 AM. Expect that press conference to be streamed live on 49ers.com.
#49ers CEO Jed York will have a press conference at 10:30 a.m. Monday.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) January 4, 2016
ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that the 49ers will now explore the possibility of bringing in New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. Last year, Payton had expressed interest in the San Francisco job had he been available. The real question with this scenario is what kind of compensation the Saints would be looking for to let Payton go. He still has two years on his contract.
Following Sunday's overtime victory over the St. Louis Rams at Levi's Stadium, Tomsula declined to discuss his future with the team. He stated that he did not have any meetings scheduled with ownership. "I'm not going too make this about Jim and Jim's job status today," Tomsula said. He wanted the players to focus on the win. "Today is all about those players," he added.
On Sunday morning, it was reported by Pro Football Talk and Bleacher Report's Jason Cole that the 49ers were expected to fire Tomsula, but retain general manager Trent Baalke. Team ownership has been under heavy scrutiny this season by the Niner Faithful. For the third game this season, fans paid for an anti-York banner to be flown over a 49ers home game.
The new #49ers head coach, whomever that might be, will have the choice to keep any coaches off the current staff, according to a source.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) January 4, 2016
Hired as the team's 19th head coach in franchise history, Tomsula has served in the position since being promoted on January 14th of 2015, following the dismissal of Jim Harbaugh after a 2014 season where San Francisco finished with an 8-8 record. Prior to that, Tomsula served as the team's defensive line coach since the 2007 season.
During the 2010 season, Tomsula served as the interim head coach for the Week 17 game against the Arizona Cardinals following the firing of head coach Mike Singletary.
This season, Tomsula led the 49ers to a disappointing 5-11 season, their worst finish since 2007.
Now the 49ers will move forward and look toward hiring a replacement that can turn things around in San Francisco.
Do you trust York and Baalke to select a capable head coach to succeed Jim Tomsula?
— 49erswebzone (@49erswebzone) January 4, 2016