San Francisco 49ers: Reactions to Jim Tomsula Hire

The San Francisco 49ers announced earlier today that they have agreed to terms with Jim Tomsula to become the new head coach. Tomsula was the 49ers’ defensive line coach, and he has 31 years of coaching experience at the high school, college, and professional levels.

The overall reaction to the 49ers’ decision to hire Tomsula was somewhat inconsistent. Some fans questioned why the 49ers didn’t choose defensive coordinator Vic Fangio instead. Some fans questioned Tomsula’s limited NFL head coaching and coordinator experience. Some fans believed the 49ers should’ve selected a more qualified coaching candidate outside of the organization instead.

Within the 49ers’ organization though, the reaction was very positive. Here’s what some former and current 49ers players had to say about Tomsula and the decision:

Some other players discussed Tomsula in various interviews today.

Matt Maiocco of Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area reported that Anquan Boldin believed this would be a good move for the 49ers. Maiocco also wrote what Boldin said when comparing Tomsula to Harbaugh:

"“I think it’s a good move,” Boldin said in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s 120Sports.com. “He’s a guy that everybody is familiar with. He’s a guy that has a pretty good feel for the locker room, so I think it’s a good move.”…“He’s a great coach, first of all. For teams to be successful, you have to have as much continuity from year to year as much as possible. Hiring Tomsula gives us that continuity. The less change you have, the better chance you have of being successful the following year.”…“He’ll be the same way, but I just think he has a pretty good feel for the locker room,” Boldin said. “Not saying coach Harbaugh didn’t. I don’t think coach Tomsula will be as tough as coach Harbaugh was.”"

The Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area staff also reported what Alex Boone said about Tomsula, and Boone even suggested that fans weren’t seeing the positives in this hire. Here’s what Boone said:

"“For the most part, people are taking things the wrong way. Jimmy is a great guy. He’s a great coach. He’s coached a lot of guys. I’m excited about this. He understands the game of football. And more importantly, he understands the friendships, and that’s what’s important to us. He understands how this game is supposed to be played…For the most part, people should be excited about this.”"

49ers.com compiled quotes from several 49ers players in recent years about Tomsula. These players had truly admire Tomsula and his coaching, and they believe that he will be a great head coach.

Here’s what Justin Smith said about him:

"“He will make a great head coach. Number one, he knows what the heck he’s talking about and, number two, he has the personality to go with it. A lot of times those don’t always match up.“He’s a fiery guy. He’s not just a rah-rah guy, there’s a lot more to him than that. He knows his stuff so you don’t have to yell and just jump around all the time. You can actually talk. He’ll give us some information, some input, how we’re going to shut it down and that’s what I appreciate about him.”"

Here’s what Patrick Willis said:

"“The job he’s done with the defensive line, as far as the techniques that they play with, has helped me a lot. People ask me how I’m able to do what I do and it’s because of the defensive line. They allow me to be free and make plays. He’s one of the best defensive line coaches I’ve been around.”"

Here’s what Glenn Dorsey said:

"“He’s a hard-working, blue-collar guy and a lot of guys in the locker room can relate to him. He knows how to put football stuff in life terms that you can understand. He brings a lot of enthusiasm to the game, and a lot of wisdom. He works well with us and we respond well.“He’d make a great head coach. He’s just a tremendous coach, and he’s helped me a lot, on and off the field.”"

Here’s what Tony Jerod-Eddie said:

"“He can get intense. My first year was pretty rough to say the least. But as I’ve gotten older and more mature football-wise, he’s backed off. But he can still get intense at times; he does a good job. Jimmy is on you about everything little thing. Now I appreciate him for it because I’ve come a long way.”"

Lastly, here’s what Lawrence Okoye said:

"“Jim was the complete, 100-percent reason I chose to come here. He instilled so much faith in me. When I met him, he made that clear to me in a way that other coaches and other personnel people hadn’t. And I’m 100 percent committed to Jim, and I’m going to make sure that I prove him right.”"

What do you think of the 49ers’ decision to name Tomsula as the next head coach? How will the 49ers do next season under Tomsula’s leadership? Let us know in the comment section below.

Next: San Francisco 49ers: Harbaugh Needed to Go