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San Francisco 49ers: Short List of Head Coach Candidates in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton on the sideline in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Saints won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton on the sideline in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Saints won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton on the sideline in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Saints won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton on the sideline in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Saints won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

For the second time in as many years, the San Francisco 49ers are in the market for a head coach after dismissing Jim Tomsula. A number of names have already been linked to the Niners for the 2016 season.

The Jim Tomsula era in San Francisco didn’t last long — unless you count his term as defensive line coach — and the 49ers are now on the hunt for a new head coach for the 2016 season.

This comes after Tomsula, who replaced former head coach Jim Harbaugh after 2014, went 5-11 with the Niners and was at the helm of a team almost entirely without excitement, competitiveness and intrigue over 16 regular-season games.

But that’s in the past now, and the 49ers have already been linked to a number of head-coaching candidates.

Exactly who winds up getting the job? It’s tough to say at this point given the overwhelming variety of factors on the table.

Fans learned a little about what may happen during CEO Jed York’s press conference Monday morning. Click the link for the entire piece.

But some of York’s comments speak directly to the selection process. Here are some quotes from the compilation of comments, courtesy of David Fucillo of Niners Nation:

"We have a clear understanding of what we want. We want a leader. We want somebody that has a clear strategic vision. We definitely have a short list. This is going to be a very, very competitive offseason, so I hope you understand I’m not going to get into the details of that list. But, we have a clear understanding of what we’re looking for. I think information, whether it’s coming from agents or from people, we will try to keep this as close to the vest as possible. I don’t want to tip our hand to everyone else that’s looking for a head coach. I think we want to make sure that we have a clear communication with our fans, but I don’t want to do anything that’s going to potentially put us at a disadvantage for hiring the next head coach."

York also added the new head coach would have control over his staff — something the 49ers attempted to influence last season when Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase learned when he was interviewing for the vacancy a season ago. San Francisco wanted Gase to take Tomsula as his defensive coordinator. Gase said no.

There will continue to be plenty of rumors circulating until a head coach lands a job in Santa Clara. So let’s take a look at some of the names who could find themselves within the 49ers hierarchy in 2016.

Next: Chip Kelly