As the 49ers try to make fans forget that the team parted ways with a successful head coach and has leapfrogged defensive line coach Jim Tomsula into the job, one way to unruffle feathers among the 49er faithful-for-now would be to gather up glowing comments from players about their new boss.
So that’s what the 49ers have done, via the team-owned website.
Nine players in all are quoted, starting with the current face of the franchise on the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
“I’m very excited that he’s going to be our head coach,” Kaepernick said. “I think he is a tremendous coach, as well as a great guy, and I know he’s going to help us win. He is always upbeat and fun to be around. I can’t wait to get a playbook in my hands.”
The excitement was shared by one of the team’s defensive leaders, linebacker Patrick Willis.
“I was excited when I found out he was going to be the next head coach,” Willis said. “Jim and I have been here since my rookie year. We went through our downs and had our ups, but we’re looking to bring it back. We know Coach Tomsula and we know what he’s about, and he knows the players on this team. So we’re looking to come in and hit the ground running. No sitting back and waiting.”
Said linebacker Aldon Smith: “Obviously he’s somebody who I’m comfortable with because he’s been here since I was drafted and has been my coach. We’ve already got a great relationship, and I’m looking forward to the direction he’s going to lead us. One thing he taught me was that I was able to do things, and not only make myself better, but make the defense and the team better. He helped me elevate my game.”
Also using “excited” or words to that effect were safety Eric Reid, nose tackle Ian Williams, cornerback Perrish Cox, guard Alex Boone, tackle Joe Staley, and fullback Bruce Miller.
They’ll all be even more excited, presumably, when Tomsula hires replacements for the many assistant coaches who probably weren’t excited about losing their jobs.