Niner Noise
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What San Francisco 49ers fans really want this holiday season — Part 12

By Eric Gamboa

January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers fan holds a sign for owner Jed York during the third quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers fan holds a sign for owner Jed York during the third quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers chief executive officer Jed York addresses the media in a press conference after naming Chip Kelly (not pictured) as the new head coach for the 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers chief executive officer Jed York addresses the media in a press conference after naming Chip Kelly (not pictured) as the new head coach for the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Jed York Is the Team’s True GM

Beyond Jed York’s press conference and Trent Baalke’s recent statement, there isn’t much evidence. Still, the hiring of Jim Tomsula, the ACLs, the firing of Jim Harbaugh? There is plenty of circumstantial evidence that says that York is pulling the strings while the experienced Baalke acts as his adviser.

After all, this is what Jed’s parents did with Scot McCloughan. For years (2005 through 2007), McCloughan held the title of Vice President of Player Personnel before getting the title of GM. During those years, the 49ers front office made football decisions that reeked of incompetence.

This again flies in the face that an experienced GM like McCloughan was making all of the decisions. It certainly appeared then that team management decisions were being made by the Yorks, probably against the McCloughan’s advice.

In 2010, shortly after McCloughan stepped down as the team’s GM, Baalke continued to serve as the team’s VP of player personnel. Just like McCloughan, Baalke only got the GM title seemingly once York felt comfortable that Baalke would be okay with York’s direct involvement with football decisions. Baalke must have agreed to this arrangement during his “interim GM” phase in 2010 before Jed agreed to give him the full title of GM.

In San Francisco, the title of GM is merely a mask meant to shoulder the blame for when ownership makes mistakes. However, if the team does well then ownership wants all the credit.

The battle of egos surely played a role in the Harbaugh breakup. After all, no one is giving York credit for those Harbaugh teams. Harbaugh received all of the credit. The war between York and Harbaugh was inevitable. The decision to let Harbaugh go was probably never up for Baalke to make.

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This is why I believe that Baalke took full responsibility and praised York in the process. This would also help explain why Baalke was not let go last year and why he will probably be kept for one more year.

After all, York would have a hard time letting go of Baalke when he can only blame himself for the 49ers woes. Which brings me to my last bit of evidence, Harbaugh’s cryptic message, “You reap what you sow” which was I believe was directed at York.

With York pulling the trigger for most of the front office decisions, the 49ers will be unable to attract any quality GM candidates. Who the heck would want to do that unless you get promoted from within, right? This ultimately makes Gamble the most likely Baalke successor.

Next: 49ers Film Room: Assessing Colin Kaepernick 2013 Season

If my theory is true, all anyone can do is hope York gets out of the way come next offseason. Hoping York leaves football decisions to men of football is at the top of every fans’ holiday wish list. So Jed, stop being playing the Grinch, move over and let the 49ers come back to its rightful place as a storied franchise.