How close did Adam Gase come to taking over as head coach of the ? NFL Media's Albert Breer reported Monday that the former -- and current -- play-caller likely would have landed the Niners job if he agreed to hire Jim Tomsula as his Grant Hill Jersey defensive coordinator, according to a source apprised of the situation. Combine on NFL Network In advance of the draft, Marcus Mariota and others will look to showcase their skills at the combine (Feb. 17-23), only on NFL Network. Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News was told a similar story by an NFL source who said that Gase Breer was told that Gase's was to either keep Vic Fangio in place as defensive coordinator or hire away a sistant Vance Joseph from Cincinnati. Fangio might have left San Francisco anyway -- and the blocked Joseph from seeking other jobs -- but Gase was not about to be told who his coordinators would be. When talks with Gase broke down, the quickly hired Tomsula, who turned around and named Eric Mangini his defensive play-caller before promoting quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst to offensive coordinator. Neither were hot names this offseason. As fate would have it, Gase ultimately wound up alongside Fangio in Chicago, both serving as coordinators under coach John Fox. We can only imagine the backroom conversations these two valuable a sistants must share about a squad under plenty of pre sure to prove that replacing Jim Harbaugh was the wise move. The latest Podcast with Bucky Brooks. Find more content on . LiAngelo Ball Jersey