INDIANAPOLIS - Was Jim Tomsula campaigning for the 49ers’ head-coaching job while Jim Harbaugh still occupied that role?

Posed that question at the NFL combine today, Tomsula offered a look of disgust and a firm denial.

“Well, first of all, there’s nothing to that and it’s ridiculous,” Tomsula said. “Second of all, if anybody needs to talk just give me buzz. OK? That’s all.”

Last week, of course, Harbaugh was asked by the San Jose Mercury News if Tomsula was, indeed, campaigning for his job late in the season. Harbaugh said it was a better question for Tomsula, but acknowledged there was an awkward vibe in the building.

“There was definitely a point where you walk down the halls … and people look away or they look at you,” Harbaugh said, “and you know something’s going on.”

At his one-hour introductory press conference last month, Tomsula didn’t reference Harbaugh. Today, that omission was mentioned to Tomsula and he was asked if his four-year relationship with Harbaugh ended poorly.

“No, not at all,” Tomsula said. “For me, no. Jim Harbaugh and his staff, which I was a part of, won a lot of football games for the San Francisco 49ers. Great job. There’s no disputing any of that. I don’t have negative word to say about any of that. It was all positive. A lot of people didn’t get it done last year at 8-8, but … I guess that’s where I’m at with it. I just don’t see where there’s something there.”

Tomsula, a first-time NFL head coach, was asked what he learned about the job from Harbaugh during their four seasons together.

“His animation when he came into practice and the energy level and the things that he did that way,” Tomsula said. “... Jim loves football. He loves the game and he loves to compete.”