Anquan Boldin: Jim Tomsula won’t be as tough as Jim Harbaugh

There were a lot of rumors that players in the San Francisco 49ers locker room did not like ex-head coach Jim Harbaugh or had tired of his ways. A comment from Anquan Boldin suggests that not all the players were in love with the coach.

The Niners on Wednesday promoted defensive line coach Jim Tomsula to head coach. Boldin, who has played with the Niners the past two seasons, spoke positively about the move.

“I think it’s a good move,” Boldin said in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s 120Sports.com. “He’s a guy that everybody is familiar with. He’s a guy that has a pretty good feel for the locker room, so I think it’s a good move.”

Boldin described Tomsula as a “great coach” and highlighted the continuity the team will be able to maintain as a key factor in keeping the coach. He also mentioned a difference between Tomsula and Harbaugh.

“He’ll be the same way, but I just think he has a pretty good feel for the locker room,” Boldin said. “Not saying coach Harbaugh didn’t. I don’t think coach Tomsula will be as tough as coach Harbaugh was.”

Well now we’re starting to hear a player on record talking about not loving Harbaugh. Tough does not always correlate with a bad coach; coaches’ goals are to win, not be beloved. In fact, Boldin was actually on record in March saying his relationship with Harbaugh is good. But this might lend some credence to some of those reports about Harbaugh’s act wearing thin with the players.