The San Francisco 49ers joined the Cleveland Browns in getting a headstart on the NFL's annual coaching carousel, announcing the release of head coach Jim Tomsula late Sunday night.

"Jimmy has been a valuable member of the 49ers organization for the last nine years," Niners CEO Jed York said in a statement posted to the team's website. "We all know he is a man of high character, and his contributions on the field and in our community have always been greatly appreciated. This entire organization is proud and grateful to have worked so closely alongside Jimmy. We all wish him and his family great success in the future."

Tomsula, at one time the team's defensive line coach under former head coach Jim Harbaugh, led the Niners to a 5-11 finish in his first - and only - season at the helm. A tumultuous offseason for the franchise, which included Harbaugh's dismissal, key injuries and retirements - Patrick Willis, Chris Borland, Justin Smith - and astoundingly poor play by quarterback Colin Kaepernick all contributed to Tomsula's ousting Sunday night.

Placed in a difficult decision from the outset, it seems unsurprising that Tomsula's time at the top of the San Francisco team was short-lived. York is set to address the media at 10:30 a.m. on Monday to discuss the franchise's future.

For his part Harbaugh, now at the University of Michigan, seems to be revelling a bit in the fall from grace of his former team.

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