Adam Gase Was Nearly Named 49ers Head Coach
(CBS) The San Francisco 49ers' disappointing 2014 season carried over into the offseason.
After missing the playoffs for the first time in four years, head coach Jim Harbaugh left the Bay Area and took the top post at his alma mater -- the University of Michigan.
The strained relationship between Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke was well documented. Harbaugh was reportedly informed he would be let go after the team's Week 15 loss to Seattle.
Former Broncos and current Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase was the team's top choice to take over as head coach. Baalke and Gase met for seven hours in Denver and had a near-handshake deal for him to become the team's next coach.
Gase was under the impression that his choices for the coordinator roles were approved and it was simply a matter of finalizing the deal. However, everything apart when Gase refused to keep Jim Tomsula on as the defensive coordinator -- a condition Gase was unaware of -- as reported by Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News.
The no Tomsula, no offer ultimatum resulted in Gase saying no, Tomsula awkwardly being named the 49ers' head coach and Gase following his former boss John Fox to Chicago.
The Bears host the 49ers at Soldier Field in 2015.