Fan and players react to 49ers, Raiders new head coaches

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KGO) -- The San Francisco 49ers have promoted longtime defensive line coach Jim Tomsula to head coach, going with a familiar face following a national search that took more than two weeks and ended right in house.

Tomsula replaces Jim Harbaugh, who parted ways with the Niners on Dec. 28 in what the team called a "mutual decision." Harbaugh was introduced as Michigan's new coach two days later following a successful four-year stint during which the 49ers reached three straight NFC championship games and a Super Bowl.

"After conducting a thorough coaching search, and meeting with a number of outstanding candidates, Jim Tomsula clearly is the right man to lead this team," CEO Jed York said in a statement. "Jim is a great teacher and a tremendous mentor who conducts himself with great class and integrity."

"Our organization is excited to have Jim Tomsula leading this football team," General Manager Trent Baalke said. "We have had the privilege of working alongside Jim for the past eight seasons. He is a proven leader, teacher and mentor, and we look forward to seeing him apply his craft and vision to our team."

And the team posted from past and current players, such as Glenn Dorsey, a nose tackle for the San Francisco 49ers, who said, "he brings a lot of enthusiasm to the game, and a lot of wisdom."

And linebacker Aaron Lynch who called him "amazing." He added, "He's not here to baby me; He's here to make me the best that I can be."

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis tweeted a picture of the two together.

The franchise and players seem ready to move on.

But what of the fans?

Carol Wong, a 49ers fan said, "I'm going get it a little bit of time to determine if it's a good move or not."

Many are having a hard time letting go of the Harbaugh era.

"Getting rid of Harbuahg was like cutting off your foot. They should have kept him. They really should have kept him," said Andre Hinojosa, also a fan.

Others are excited, back in good spirits after a disappointing season.

"He gets along with the all the players so well and they all love him, that I think it's the right choice," explained another fan.

With the 46-year-old Tomsula's hiring, there are questions about whether defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will depart given he wasn't chosen for the top job and got leapfrogged by Tomsula.

The 49ers also considered Denver offensive coordinator Adam Gase, the only known candidate to have two interviews. An offensive assistant for the 49ers in 2008 under then-offensive coordinator Mike Martz, Gase first interviewed Jan. 2 - then again Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders are also planning to officially introduce their new head coach, one with strong Bay Area ties.

Their new head coach Jack Del Rio grew up in Hayward and played football at Hayward High School. Most recently, he was the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos and a former head coach for nine seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Raiders will make a formal announcement at a press conference on Friday.

Sources told ESPN that the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator interviewed Tuesday night with owner Mark Davis, general manager Reggie McKenzie and former Raiders coach John Madden. Madden has been a proponent of Del Rio.