Jim Tomsula

Coaching Record

Years Coached Record Win % Playoff record Playoff win %
13 98-109-1 47.36% 5-3 62.50%

Coaching Tree

Parents:

Mike Nolan, Mike Singletary, Jim Harbaugh


Biography

Career Summary

Jim Tomsula was a football coach in the National Football League (NFL) from 2007 to 2020, finishing his career as the defensive line coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Over his thirteen years of coaching his teams compiled a cumulative win/loss record of 98-109-1. He was also the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers for the 2015 season. The 49ers went 5-11-0 in this lone season as a head coach. During his career he was a head coach for one season. He was fired from the 49ers on Sunday, January 3, 2016.

Jim Tomsula Coaching Tree

Before he was a head coach, Tomsula served as an assistant coach for Mike Nolan, Mike Singletary, Jim Harbaugh, Jay Gruden, and Mike McCarthy. Four of these years were spent on Harbaugh's coaching staff.

Personal Information

Tomsula was born on Sunday, April 14, 1968 in Homestead, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

College Playing Career

Tomsula played college football at Middle Tennessee State before transferring to Catawba College as a defensive lineman. However, during his time at Catawba, Tomsula suffered a career-ending knee injury. Sidelined with his injury, he began his coaching career at his alma mater.

Amateur Coaching Years

Catawba College

Tomsula's first coaching position working as the defensive line/strength coach for Catawba college under head coach Bill Mauldin for the 1989 season. The team finished 4-7 in Tomsula's inaugural coaching season.

Woodland Hills (PA) High School

After his season with Catawba College, Tomsula coached for Woodlands Hills High School in Pennsylvania. During the 1990 season, Tomsula coached the defensive line for the school.

Charleston Southern University

After sitting out one season, Tomsula returned to coaching at the collegiate level for Charleston Southern University. During his four seasons with the school, he would serve as both the Strength coach and the Defensive Line coach. During his time with the school, Charleston Southern would transition up to the 1-AA level athletically. After the 1995 season with the school, Tomsula would sit out another year from football to support his family.

Return to Catawba College

After his second hiatus from coaching, Tomsula returned to his alma mater in 1997 in a volunteer capacity, once again working with the defensive line. After the 1997 season, he would begin coaching in the NFL-Europe system. However, since the NFL-Europe was not a year-long position, he would return during the offseason to continue working with Catawba from 1998-2005.

Professional Coaching Career

England Monarchs

Tomsula began his NFL Europe career in 1998 with the England Monarchs, coaching the defensive line. The Monarchs would struggle with attendance and spent the 1998 season playing their "home" games at a variety of stadiums throughout the country. After the 1998 season, the team was disbanded.

Scottish Claymores

In 1999, Tomsula was hired by the Scottish Claymores as the team's Defensive Line coach. During his five years with the team, the Claymores developed a reputation for having some of the best defensive lines in the league.

Berlin Thunder

In 2004, Tomsula was hired by the Berlin Thunder to serve as Defensive Coordinator for the team, where he would remain for two seasons. This was the first time in Tomsula's career where he led an entire defense, and his coaching had a big impact. Along with new head coach Rick Lantz, the Thunder would go from 3-7 in 2003 to 9-1 and winning the World Bowl in 2004. They would return to the World Bowl the following season, falling to the Amsterdam Admirals.

Rhein Fire

After his success as Defensive Coordinator for the Thunder, Tomsula was hired by the Rhein Fire to replace Pete Kuharchek as head coach. The team finished 6-4, finishing in 3rd place in the league.

San Francisco 49ers

Mike Singletary Years

In 2007, Tomsula would be hired by the San Francisco 49ers as the Defensive Line coach. During the first few years of his time with the 49ers, the team struggled while the defense shined. Defensive End Justin Smith was selected for numerous Pro Bowls as the leader of the defense. During the 2010 season, Tomsula finished the season as the interim head coach after head coach Mike Singletary was fired.

Jim Harbaugh Years

Tomsula would return to his role with the defensive line the following season with the hiring of Jim Harbaugh. The team immediately turned around, going from 6-10 in 2010 to 13-3 and losing in the NFC Championship game in 2011. The team would make the Super Bowl following the 2012 season, losing to the Baltimore Ravens. The team would make a third straight NFC Championship game, only losing to the eventual champions and division rivals Seattle Seahawks. After a disappointing 2014, Harbaugh returned to coaching in college.

Head Coach

With the head coaching position now vacant, the team promoted Tomsula to head coach for the 2015 season. He was fired after a single 5-11 season.


History

Year Position Record Playoff record
2020 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Line Coach 6-10-0 0-0
2019 Washington Redskins Defensive Line Coach 3-13-0 0-0
2018 Washington Redskins Defensive Line Coach 7-9-0 0-0
2017 Washington Redskins Defensive Line Coach 7-9-0 0-0
2015 San Francisco 49ers Head Coach 5-11-0 0-0
2014 San Francisco 49ers Defensive Line Coach 8-8-0 0-0
2013 San Francisco 49ers Defensive Line Coach 12-4-0 2-1
2012 San Francisco 49ers Defensive Line Coach 11-4-1 2-1
2011 San Francisco 49ers Defensive Line Coach 13-3-0 1-1
2010 San Francisco 49ers Defensive Line Coach 5-10-0 0-0
2010 San Francisco 49ers Interim Head Coach / Defensive Line Coach 1-0-0 0-0
2009 San Francisco 49ers Defensive Line Coach 8-8-0 0-0
2008 San Francisco 49ers Defensive Line Coach 7-9-0 0-0
2007 San Francisco 49ers Defensive Line Coach 5-11-0 0-0
1998 England Monarchs Defensive Line Coach 3-7-0

Coach history guide

Seasons with a championship win Seasons with a conference championship

Coach facts

  • Years as head coach: 1
  • Named the interim head coach during the 2010 season for the San Francisco 49ers
  • Conference Championships won: 2012
  • Past teams coached for: Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers
  • College Attended: Catawba Indians
  • Date of Birth: Sunday, April 14, 1968 (55 years old), Homestead, Pennsylvania