49ers GM Trent Baalke survives after coach Jim Tomsula sacked

A DAY after sacking head coach Jim Tomsula, San Francisco owner Jed York put a number of other people on notice.

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 03: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during their NFL game against the St. Louis Rams at Levi's Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

SAN Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York said Monday that Trent Baalke will remain general manager of the team with the knowledge that York isn’t satisfied with the recent results.

“I’ve watched Trent build this roster and I have confidence that he can get it done,” York said. “This is going to be a very important off-season for us.”

York spoke publicly to the media for the first time this season on Tuesday (AEDT), one day after firing first-year coach Jim Tomsula after a 19-16 overtime victory against the St. Louis Rams to finish the season.

San Francisco went 5-11 and missed the playoffs for the second straight season after going 8-8 a year ago in now-Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh’s final season before what the team called a “mutual” parting.

Tomsula is owed $10.5 million for the remaining three years on the deal he signed last January, and York said the team would ‘’eat’’ that money to pay him off even if he receives a job elsewhere.

“We’re in need of somebody who can win Super Bowls, period,” York said. “We haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1994.”

While San Francisco has established a short list of coaching candidates, York said the Niners would keep those discussions close.

“We have a clear understanding of what we want,” he said. “We want a leader, we want someone who has a clear vision.”

York promoted Tomsula from defensive line coach to replace Harbaugh in a surprising move, choosing the former NFL Europe coach over current Bears offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase and former defensive co-ordinator Vic Fangio — also now with Chicago.

Only Tomsula has been fired, York said, and the new head coach will evaluate the remaining members of the staff.

Regarding speculation York might be considering selling, he said, “My family’s owned this team since before I was born and they’ll own the team after I’m gone”.

Jarryd Hayne is unsure of his future in San Francisco.

Australian Jarryd Hayne’s first season with the Niners was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, so it was no surprise the final day was full of drama. The 49ers announced the sacking of Tomsula just two hours after Hayne celebrated with teammates in the locker room.

Hayne was full of praise for Tomsula in an interview with reporters before Tomsula was sacked. “He has been awesome with me,” Hayne told reporters. A change in coach places Hayne in limbo, with the prospect he might not be wanted next season.

The final two years of Hayne’s contract are not guaranteed so it won’t cost the 49ers a cent to cut him. “It’s up to the Niners if they still want me,” Hayne said. “That’s out of my control and now I’m on holiday mode.”

Hayne was only on the field for a single play against the Rams, with Tomsula playing three other running backs. His only moment against the Rams came in the fourth quarter when the 49ers’ special teams defensive unit had an injury.

“They said, ‘Just line up’,” said Hayne, who ran down the field and brought down the Rams’ punt returner.

The former rugby league star did not mind, instead pointing to his against-the-odds achievement of quitting a multimillion-dollar career in the NRL for a long shot try at the NFL.

“The past year has been way more than what I expected,” Hayne said, while laughing as his running back teammates Kendall Gaskins and Mike Davis cracked jokes at his expense.

Hayne flies back to Sydney on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) and expects plenty of tears when greeted by family and friends.

It is likely Hayne will return to the 49ers’ Santa Clara headquarters in April and train with a 90-man squad that will be cut to 53 just before the 2016/17 season begins in September.

— with AAP

Originally published as 49ers GM Trent Baalke survives after coach Jim Tomsula sacked