The introductory press conference for new 49ers coach Jim Tomsula "neither cast Tomsula in the best light nor answered questions about why he is a better man for the job" than former coach Jim Harbaugh, according to Ann Killion of the S.F. CHRONICLE. Team execs and Tomsula "most definitely did not win the press conference." 49ers CEO Jed York and GM Trent Baalke "mostly said, in response to tougher questions, 'We're not going to get into that.'" Around 55 minutes into the presser, Baalke "finally mentioned Harbaugh by name claiming 'he was not the cause' of all the problems." However, the "continued insinuation by all parties is that he, indeed, was." Baalke the day after the season ended "stressed the importance of retooling, not rebuilding," but the team "seems to be involved in a major overhaul." It appears that Tomsula "will not provide continuity so much as the start of a whole new chapter" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/16). CSNBAYAREA.com's Ray Ratto wrote under the header, "Del Rio Already Won His Press Conference Thanks To 49ers" (CSNBAYAREA.com, 1/15).
RUMBLIN', STUMBLIN': In San Jose, Tim Kawakami wrote Tomsula, who "knows he's expected to win and win big immediately," was "definitely nervous in front of the bright lights." The coach, who is "always a little long-winded," was "talking about his football philosophy, but it was hard to tell -- there was some spluttering, mumbling and lots of words amounting to not very much." Baalke then "waded right in." Baalke and York "have spent a lot of time trying to say they’re not installing a puppet coach for their whims and philosophies," but Tomsula "couldn't quite utter what his philosophy was, so Baalke declared it for him, as a good and powerful puppet master might do." Kawakami: "Tomsula’s philosophy is going to be whatever Baalke tells him it is." The new coach is "Baalke’s vehicle, and for a few minutes on Thursday, he was York’s vehicle to take a mild and only slightly veiled jab at Harbaugh" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 1/15). ESPN's Michael Smith noted Tomsula has been labeled a “yes man" and a "puppet," as York and Baalke wanted an "opposite Joe from Jim Harbaugh,” However, as long players are “willing to run through a wall and not run over Jim Tomsula, then I think you got a good coach” (“His & Hers,” ESPN2, 1/15).
