49ers’ new head coach is in need of assistants

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Hiring a staff might be the most important task for a new head coach.

The choice of Jim Tomsula made sense, because, the thinking went, Tomsula — as a longtime member of the 49ers’ staff — would be able to retain many of Jim Harbaugh’s coaches and keep some sense of cohesion.

Then came the news that Tomsula’s coaching colleagues — save for running backs coach Tom Rathman — had been fired. The first to go, according to a source, was defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The departures of secondary coach Ed Donatell, linebackers coach Jim Leavitt and offensive line coach Mike Solari reportedly soon followed.

Losing Fangio, Donatell and Solari — all of whom are considered to be at the top of their professions — defeats the purpose of an internal hire.

In addition, Tomsula — after a handful of stints and responsibilities at small colleges and NFL Europe — has spent the last eight seasons with the 49ers. It’s unlikely he’s had much interaction with coaches from other teams, let alone time to ponder who he might want on a staff.

ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweeted that the front office will help Tomsula gather information on assistants. What does that mean? And how much input will executives Jed York, Paraag Marathe and Trent Baalke have in the process?

That’s not known, but what is known is that the 49ers will have a difficult time replacing Fangio, who devised perhaps the best “tip sheet” in the game. Tip sheets are usually distributed a couple days before a game and instruct players what to watch for in certain situations.

Players raved about Fangio’s tip sheets. Team radio analyst Tim Ryan once asked linebacker Patrick Willis why he pointed to the sky after making a big play. Willis told him he wasn’t pointing to God, but to Fangio in the coaches booth.

Jim Tomsula, the 49ers’ new head coach, has spent eight years with S.F. and has had limited exposure to potential assistants. Jim Tomsula, the 49ers’ new head coach, has spent eight years with S.F. and has had limited exposure to potential assistants. Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close 49ers’ new head coach is in need of assistants 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Head coaches are important, but it’s the assistants who are the life blood of any team. They spend hours every day with players, developing their talent and putting them in the right place to succeed.

Finding assistants who can command players’ attention, groom talent and game plan is the most important task for any head coach.

It’s believed by many that one of the reasons Dennis Allen was fired in Oakland was that he failed to hire a good staff. As a young coach with limited NFL experience, Allen hired coaches he didn’t know, and the inability of his staff to work cohesively eventually doomed him.

Tomsula’s enthusiasm and magnetic personality are pluses. Potential assistants will want to work with him. But can he match Jim Harbaugh’s success at assembling a staff?

Kevin Lynch is a freelance writer.