Sunday Punch: Bigger concerns for 49ers fans than coach Tomsula

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“Fasten your seat belts, 49ers fans.”

That’s what flight attendant Jim Tomsula said Thursday as smiling fellow flight attendants Jed York and Trent Baalke demonstrated the buckling technique.

Tomsula didn’t use those exact words, but that’s the message many took away.

The new coach’s awkward debut in the spotlight isn’t what the 49ers’ fans should be most panicked about, however. The new coach came off as ill-suited to be the front man leading the 49ers to the next level, but that’s a superficial impression. He had many of us in the media wistful for the answerettes of Colin Kaepernick and the terse condescension of Jim Harbaugh — that’s right, we’re never happy — but this isn’t a speech contest.

If Tomsula turns out not to be a Super Bowl-caliber head coach, thus a colossal failure in the eyes and heart of York, Tomsula’s tenure will be only a one- or two-year speed bump on the road to glory. The deeper problem is a growing concern about the brains and power of the organization — York and Baalke.

Coaches come and go. York and Baalke are as cemented in place as Levi’s Stadium, and, well, gulp.

This is not a coach-friendly setup. Baalke is York’s football guide and mentor, so Jed will always side with and give power to Baalke, putting the head coach in a weak spot.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula, center, with general manager Trent Baalke, left, and owner Jed York during an NFL football press conference Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) less San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula, center, with general manager Trent Baalke, left, and owner Jed York during an NFL football press conference Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP ... more Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Sunday Punch: Bigger concerns for 49ers fans than coach Tomsula 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

And what has either man shown to instill faith in their ability to lead a team to the Super Bowl? York got a new stadium built (with a huuuuge boost from Harbaugh), but how much good did that do the 49ers last season?

York also hired Harbaugh, but how much selling was required to persuade Harbaugh to start his NFL coaching career right in his own backyard with a super-talented roster?

Meanwhile, a window of opportunity has been pried open. The Raiders have a chance in 2015 to vault from No. 2 to No. 1 in the Bay Area NFL power rankings.

After Friday’s impressive news conference, the Raiders’ main worry is that the team will do so well under the dashing Jack Del Rio that he’ll be spirited away by Hollywood to play the lead in “The Jack Del Rio Story.”

A grim week for the 49ers, but at least they didn’t lose Vic Fangio.