49ers fire Tomsula after 5-11 season

Former line coach went 5-11 after replacing Harbaugh last winter

Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.

Jim Tomsula was fired by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night after one disappointing season, with an announcement just more than two hours after the season finale.

Phil Dawson kicked a 23-yard field goal 11:33 into overtime for his fourth of the game, and the 49ers held off the St. Louis Rams, 19-16.

Elevated from his defensive line coaching duties in an unconventional, surprising promotion by CEO Jed York last January, Tomsula went 5-11 as the Niners missed the playoffs for the second straight season. They were 8-8 a year ago in then-coach Jim Harbaugh’s fourth season before his “mutual” parting with the franchise, as the team described it.

York is scheduled to address the media today at Levi’s Stadium, where San Francisco rallied for a 19-16 overtime victory against St. Louis in Sunday’s finale, but was booed again by the home crowd.

“Jimmy has been a valuable member of the 49ers organization for the last nine years,” York said in a statement. “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.”

Two years, two head coaches named Jim out for the once-proud franchise.

Tomsula waved and signed autographs upon walking into the stadium before kickoff, then kept the focus on his players after the win. He didn’t immediately respond to a text message.

York, who didn’t speak publicly about the team’s turmoil during the season, chose Tomsula last year to replace Harbaugh over departed defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and now-Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase.

Blaine Gabbert passed for 354 yards and a 33-yard touchdown to Anquan Boldin for the 49ers (5-11), who avoided their worst finish since going 4-12 in 2005.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher finished 7-9 for his fourth straight losing season running the team and called it “very disappointing.”

“I’ve been with Jimmy my whole career. I love Jimmy,” said linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who finished his comeback season from a major knee injury with 154 tackles. “Today we won a game, let’s give him some praise for that.”

Free agent to-be Dawson — who turns 41 later this month and wants to return for an 18th season — also kicked a tying 38-yard field goal with 4:33 remaining.