Jim Tomsula could come with Tom Gamble as head coach

While the Jaguars do not have a head coaching vacancy, a new general manager will reportedly have the option to select a head coach of his own to replace Mike Mularkey. Perhaps the leading candidate to become the next GM for the Jaguars is San Francisco 49ers personnel executive Tom Gamble, whom Shad Khan is meeting with today according to a source, and he may want to fill that spot with Jim Tomsula, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.

Also, several teams are thinking about interviewing 49ers defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, league sources said, and if 49ers personnel exec Tom Gamble lands a GM gig, he may end up looking long and hard at Tomsula for the head coaching job there. And, there is still a possibility that Carolina and Jacksonville part with their head coaches pending the outcome of their GM searches.

Tomsula, 44, is a young coach but has served as the 49ers defensive line coach since 2007. He also served as the interim head coach of the 49ers in 2010 when Mike SIngletary was fired. Prior to joining the 49ers, Tomsula spent time as a defensive coordinator and head coach in NFL Europe.

David Fucillo of SB Nation's Niners Nation discussed the rumors on Tuesday and gave a solid prognosis for Tomsula's potential future as a head coach:

Tomsula has "only" been coaching since 1998, but something about him strikes me as head coaching material. He commands the respect of players, and with the right staff supporting him, I have a hunch he could be an excellent head coach. And of course, he has a 1-0 career record as an NFL head coach, so there's always that!

The 2012 49ers defense ranks second in points allowed and third in yardage allowed.