Former Rhein Fire head coach Jim Tomsula has been hired as the 49ers' new defensive line coach, replacing Gary Emanuel, who was fired, along with defensive coordinator Billy Davis, on Jan. 2.

Tomsula has never coached in the NFL, but as an extensive resume from NFL Europe. He became the youngest head coach in NFL Europe League history in November 2005 at the age of 38. The Fire went 5-4 last season in Tomsula's only season.

"Jim has a great track record of success in NFL Europe and has earned the opportunity to step up to the National Football League," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said. "He is an outstanding teacher and he has had a great rapport with the players wherever he has coached. He has had success as a defensive line coach, defensive coordinator and head coach in NFL Europe, and he also has experience coaching numerous college all-star games."

Last season, Tomsula had three offensive linemen on his team who are currently with the 49ers: Tony Wragge, Harvey Dahl and Nick Steitz.

In 2004 and '05, he served as defensive coordinator of the Berlin Thunder, advancing to the World Bowl in each of those seasons. Tomsula joined the Thunder after five seasons as defensive line coach with the Scottish Claymores. His first season in pro football was with the England Monarchs in 1998. He began his coaching career at Charleston Southern and Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. Tomsula played his college football at Catawba after transferring from Middle Tennessee State.

Tomsula was the only person Nolan interviewed for the defensive line job. Over the weekend, Nolan hired special-teams coordinator Al Everest, the only person he interviewed for that opening.

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GORE WINS AWARD: Frank Gore was announced today as the winner of the NFL's Most Improved Player Award, which is voted upon by the Pro Football Writers of America and Pro Football Weekly. The award was first given out in 2000, and was won by then-49ers QB Jeff Garcia.

I admit that I vote on these awards, and I feel a bit silly that I did not vote for Gore. The reason I didn't vote for him is because I thought he was pretty darn good last year, too. He gained a team-leading 608 yards and averaged 4.8 yards a carry. This year, he rushed for 1,695 yards and a 5.4-yard average.

Instead, my vote went to Lions WR Mike Furrey, who caught 98 passes for 1,086 yards. Furrey did not have any catches in 2005, as he started 11 games at defensive back for the Rams.

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In other news, the 49ers announced FB Zak Keasey has re-signed with the team. Zeasey spent part of the 2005 season and all of 2006 on the 49ers practice squad. Keasey was a linebacker at Princeton before a position change. He rushed 17 times for 63 yards in the exhibition season. This year, he has a chance to earn a spot on the 53-man roster behind starter Moran Norris.

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UPDATE ON 49ERS COACHING OPENINGS

Defensive coordinator - Billy Davis was fired on Jan. 2. Coach Mike Nolan has started the interview process, but no announcement is imminent.

--Donnie Henderson (fired as Lions defensive coordinator Jan. 2) - Interviewed Jan. 13, and went out to dinner that night with Mike Nolan. Henderson and Nolan worked together with the Ravens for two seasons, including two years when Nolan was the defensive coordinator and Henderson was the defensive backs coach. Apparently, Nolan had his differences with Henderson when they worked together, but Nolan respects Henderson's coaching ability. The Lions ran a 4-3, but Henderson's background is in the 3-4.

Others who might become factors:

--Dick LeBeau (Steelers def. coordinator) -- It was thought all along that the Steelers would hire a new head coach from within and keep the staff intact. But if the Steelers opt for Mike Tomlin or Ron Rivera, LeBeau could find himself out of a job. The 3-4 coaching guru would be a good fit for what Mike Nolan wants to see accomplished with the 49ers.

--Mike Singletary (49ers assistant head coach/LBs) -- He had an interview for the Falcons' head-coaching job, though Bobby Petrino ended up getting hired. It's doubtful Singletary would get the 49ers' defensive coordinator job if he's still available because Mike Nolan prefers somebody with a little more experience. That would enable Nolan to back away from the down-to-down involvement of running the defense and concentrate on managing the game.

--Wade Phillips (Chargers def. coordinator) -- Appears to be out of play now that the Chargers announced Marty Schottenheimer will be back as head coach in 2007.

--Dave McGinnis (Titans assistant head coach/LBs) - Former Cardinals head coach is well-respected defensive mind.

--Ed Donatell (Falcons def. coordinator) - Former Packers coordinator didn't do much with the Falcons this season.

--Jim Mora (recently fired Falcons head coach) - Got a second interview for the Dolphins' head-coaching position and reportedly has a real chance to land that job.

--Tim Lewis (fired Jan. 11 as Giants defenisve coordinator) -- Lewis was one of the finalists for the 49ers' head-coaching position in January 2005. He was secondary coach for the Steelers from '95-99, then was defensive coordinator there from 2000 to '03. He was the Giants' defensive coordinator from '04 to '06. Lewis got fired by the Steelers in 2004 after interviewing for the Falcons' head-coaching job. This time, he got fired by the Giants after interviewing for the Dolphins' head-coaching job.

Already taken: Dom Capers (has agreed to a three-year extension as Dolphins' defensive coordinaor); Jim Bates (hired as Broncos defensive coordinator); Mike Zimmer (former Cowboys defensive coordinator hired as Falcons defensive coordinator); Larry Coyer (former Broncos defensive coordinator hired as Buccaneers' assistant head coach).

Defensive line coach - HIRED JIM TOMSULA on Jan. 16. Gary Emanuel was fired on Jan. 2. Tomsula interviewed for the position on Jan. 12. Tomsula steps down as head coach of the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe. Tomsula has not coached in the NFL.

Special-teams coordinator -- HIRED AL EVEREST on Jan. 14. Larry Mac Duff resigned Jan. 7 to take a position at the University of Texas. Everest interviewed with the 49ers on Jan. 12. He has been an NFL special-teams coach for 10 seasons, including six with the Saints (2000-05). The Saints were strong on special teams during his tenure, as five of his players won NFC special-teams-player-of-the-week honors. Everest was out of coaching last season, but he put on an offseason clinic at USC that coach Pete Carroll credited for the Trojans' improved special teams.

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NFL HEAD-COACHING UPDATE

RAIDERS (Fired Art Shell on Jan. 4) - Had second interview with Steve Sarkisian on Jan. 17. He also interviewed Jan. 8; interviewed Jim Fassel (Jan. 11); interviewed Rob Ryan (Jan. 12); interviewed James Lofton (Jan. 13).

DOLPHINS (Nick Saban resigned to take Alabama job Jan. 3) - HIRED Cam Cameron, former Chargers offensive coordinator, Jan. 19. The other reported finalists were Chan Gailey, Jim Mora, Mike Tomlin and Mike Shula. Cameron had second interview Jan. 17 (he also interviewed on Jan. 5); had second interview on Jan. 15 with Mike Tomlin (he also interviewed Jan. 8); had second interview with Jim Mora on Jan. 14 (he also interviewed Jan. 5); interviewed Chan Gailey (Jan. 5); interviewed Ken Whisenhunt (Jan. 6); interviewed Ron Rivera (Jan. 6); interviewed Ron Turner (Jan. 6); interviewed Pete Carroll (Jan. 7); interviewed Dom Capers (Jan. 8); interviewed Brian Schottenheimer (Jan. 10), and has since withdrawn his name from consideration; interviewed Tim Lewis (Jan. 10); interviewed Mike Martz (Jan. 11); interviewed Mike Shula (Jan. 14).

STEELERS (Bill Cowher resigned on Jan. 5) - Three finalists are: Russ Grimm (interviewed second time Jan. 17), Mike Tomlin (interviewed second time Jan. 16) and Ron Rivera. Interviewed Ron Rivera (Jan. 7); interviewed Russ Grimm (Jan. 8); interviewed Ken Whisenhunt (Jan. 9); interviewed Mike Tomlin (Jan. 10); interviewed Chan Gailey (Jan. 13); reportedly interviewed Mike Sherman.

CARDINALS (Fired Dennis Green on Jan. 1) - HIRED Ken Whisenhunt, former Steelers offensive coordinator, Jan. 14. He interviewed Jan. 5 and Jan. 12; also interviewed Mike Sherman Jan. 4 and Jan. 11; interviewed Ron Rivera (Jan. 3); interviewed Cam Cameron (Jan. 6); interviewed Jim Caldwell (Jan. 7); interviewed Norm Chow (Jan. 8); interviewed Russ Grimm (Jan. 9); and reportedly interviewed Clancy Pendergast (defensive coordinator) as a courtesy.

FALCONS (Fired Jim Mora on Jan. 1) - HIRED Bobby Petrino (five years, $24 million), former Louisville coach, Jan. 7. Interviewed Ken Whisenhunt (Jan. 4), Mike Singletary (Jan. 5), and Ron Rivera (Jan. 5).

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