A day after firing Jim Tomsula as coach, 49ers CEO Jed York said they have a “short list” of candidates they’ll consider in what he calls a “very competitive” market.
“We’re in need of somebody that can win Super Bowls,” York said in closing his 30-minute news conference. “We haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1994.”
The 49ers are going on their seventh coach in 15 years. They finished this season with a 5-11 record, their worst mark since 2007, and in last place in the NFC West for the first time since 2005.
“We want a leader, somebody that has a clear, strategic vision,” York said. “We have a short list. This is going to be a very competitive offseason.”
Unlike last season following Jim Harbaugh’s “mutual parting,” York stood alone at the podium, but quickly noted that Trent Baalke remains his general manager; Baalke and York shared the stage at last year’s presser.
“I’ve seen Trent build a championship-caliber roster,” York said. “I believe in Trent’s ability.”
Baalke will lead the search that will include other team officials.
Potential candidates linked to the 49ers are Chip Kelly, Sean Payton, Hue Jackson, Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren and David Shaw.
“There’s not a specific time frame,” York said. “We want to identify our candidates and go after them.”
Tomsula served eight seasons as their defensive line coach before getting promoted after a 17-day search.
Tomsula followed Jim Harbaugh’s four-year tenure that included trips to three straight NFC Championship games and Super Bowl XLVII.
Other coaches the 49ers have gone through since 2002 are Steve Mariucci, Dennis Erickson, Mike Nolan and Mike Singletary.
York struck a conciliatory tone throughout his press conference, repeatedly apologising to his team’s irate fan base.
“I hear the criticism, loudly, whether that’s talking to fans directly or social media or planes flying over my head,” York said.
York shot down speculation that his family is interested in selling the franchise, valued recently at $2.7 billion by Forbes.
“My family has owned this team since before I was born, and they’ll own this team after I am gone,” York said.