49ers Head Coach Search: Latest Rumors, Speculation on Vacant Position

The San Francisco 49ers have been searching for a head coach to replace Jim Harbaugh. On Jan. 14, the team's defensive line coach Jim Tomsula was confirmed as their next head coach. 

Continue for updates. 

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49ers Announce Tomsula as Next Head Coach

Wednesday, Jan. 14

The San Francisco 49ers have confirmed that their defensive line coach Jim Tomsula will be their next head coach:

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the news.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirmed who came in second place:

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reported on Monday that Tomsula was the top in-house candidate.

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Gase Yet to Agree to Become 49ers Head Coach

Wednesday, Jan. 14

"Source says Adam Gase has not yet agreed to terms to become 49ers coach. Still could happen. But not yet," ProFootballTalk tweeted early Wednesday. Nate Lundy of 104.3 The Fan in Denver had reported minutes earlier Gase had agreed to become the new 49ers head coach.

On Tuesday, NFL.com's Jeff Darlington reported Gase was heading to San Francisco for a meeting:

Previously, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that the meeting would be Gase's second with the team. ESPN's Adam Schefter had first reported the team's interest in the Broncos assistant, noting he'd met with them for the first time on January 2 or 3. 

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49ers Have Not Followed Up With Fangio

Monday, Jan. 12

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reported on Vic Fangio and his pursuit of the head coaching job in San Francisco:

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The 49ers have not reached out to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in recent days about the possibility of replacing Jim Harbaugh as head coach, a source said Monday morning.

Fangio was the first candidate to interview for the 49ers’ coaching vacancy. He met with CEO Jed York, general manager Trent Baalke and president Paraag Marathe on Tuesday, Dec. 30 – the day after York and Baalke took part in a 45-minute press conference to address the “mutual parting” with Harbaugh.

Fangio and defensive line coach Jim Tomsula are considered the top in-house candidates to replace Harbaugh, who led to the 49ers to three NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl appearance in his four seasons as coach.

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On Jan. 2, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported that Fangio's interview with the franchise went well.

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Bowles To Have Second Interview

Sunday, Jan. 11

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported on San Francisco's interest in Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles:

On January 8, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee first reported Bowles and the 49ers would meet.

Barrows later reported on how the meeting went between the two sides:

On December 29, Josina Anderson of ESPN reported that Bowles was a target for the 49ers.

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Rex Ryan Reportedly Impresses in Interview

Thursday, Jan. 8

According to John Middlekauf of 95.7 Radio, Rex Ryan's interview in San Francisco went well:

On January 1, Kimberly Jones of NFL.com reported on Ryan's connection to the San Francisco head coach opening.

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Shanahan Confirms New Year's Day Meeting With 49ers

Saturday, Jan. 3

ESPN's Adam Schefter provides an update on the 49ers' search for a head coach:

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reports Shanahan is a legitimate candidate for the job:

On January 1, Mike Klis of The Denver Post reported the team would interview the former Redskins coach:

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Gary Kubiak and 49ers Expected to Speak 

Saturday, Jan. 3

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provides an update on the 49ers' pursuit of a new head coach:

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49ers Interested in Kyle Shanahan

Friday, Jan. 2

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle has the latest on the 49ers' search:

However, Branch also offered clarification:

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland.com reported that Shanahan was on the 49ers' list of candidates on December 29.

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SF Looking for Established Head Coach

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jason Cole shared the latest buzz on the 49ers' head coach search in this video with Stephen Nelson:

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49ers Interview Quinn

Wednesday, Dec. 31

NFL Network's Albert Breer provides an update on the 49ers' head coach search:

On December 29, Josina Anderson of ESPN reported that San Francisco had made an official request to talk to Quinn.

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Multiple Coaches to Interview With 49ers 

Tuesday, Dec. 30

The 49ers have wasted little time in interviewing their first head coaching candidate, as Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports reports the team will be interviewing Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn:

Another candidate is Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, who also plans on interviewing for the job per Garafolo:

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports the team will also interview New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels:

Dom Cosentino of NJ Advanced Media also added another name to the list:

"

Can confirm that ex-Jets head coach Rex Ryan is interviewing with Falcons and 49ers next week, per source.

— dom cosentino (@domcosentino) December 31, 2014"

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49ers Search For a New Head Coach Begins 

Monday, Dec. 29

With the bizarre saga between the San Francisco 49ers and Jim Harbaugh reaching its conclusion, there should be no shortage of candidates for the NFL's hottest available coaching job.       

The Niners announced Sunday night that the two sides have parted ways following an 8-8 2014 season.   

Harbaugh won't be on the market for long, though, as NFL Network's Albert Breer is reporting that the former University of Michigan quarterback is now set to become the Wolverines' next head football coach.  

While it can certainly be argued that moving on from Harbaugh despite the fact that he reached the NFC Championship Game or better in three consecutive seasons is rash, the 49ers are about to enter a new era. 

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported the team will indeed interview in-house candidate Jim Tomsula to take over for Harbaugh:

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com revealed the team's plans regarding Josh McDaniels:

General manager Trent Baalke spoke about the situation in San Francisco, via the 49ers:

CEO Jed York also spoke the qualities he wants in the next coach, via Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports:

Despite dealing with a number of significant injuries in 2014, San Francisco's defense ranked fifth in yards allowed and 10th in points allowed, so it doesn't come as a big surprise that most of its candidates are offensive gurus.

The Niners have plenty of talent on offense, including quarterback Colin Kaepernick, but they need someone capable of harnessing it.

If the 49ers can find that person, then it certainly isn't a stretch to say that they could return to Super Bowl contention in 2015.  

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