Jim Tomsula has returned to the NFL in a role for which he built his reputation.
On Monday, the Washington Redskins hired Tomsula, who spent one tumultuous season as the San Francisco 49ers' head coach, to be in charge of their defensive line.
Tomsula joins Greg Manusky's staff, as the Redskins promoted the latter from outside linebackers coach to defensive coordinator. They also promoted Matt Cavanaugh from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator, a move rumored for more than a week, and hired Kevin O'Connell to be the quarterbacks coach. Cavanaugh replaces Sean McVay, who was hired as head coach by the Los Angeles Rams.
The Redskins still haven't officially hired a defensive backs coach. They are trying to keep Aubrey Pleasant, who was the assistant secondary coach last season but also is being wooed by the Rams.
The Redskins want to upgrade their defensive line talent. Tomsula coached the 49ers' defensive lines from 2007 to '14, spending the first four years working under then-coordinator Manusky. Tomsula stayed on board when Jim Harbaugh was hired in 2010. The 49ers routinely had one of the NFL's best defenses and received solid contributions from their front, helping them to four consecutive appearances in the NFC Championship Game.
Tomsula was popular among his players, which led to his surprising hire to replace Harbaugh, but that did not go as well. The 49ers finished 5-11, and Tomsula was fired shortly after the season ended. He did not coach in the NFL last season, although he reportedly had offers to be a position coach.