SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Jim Tomsula walked through the cafeteria on Day 1 and fist-bumped a chef from across the high counter, then asked another member of the kitchen staff about her family.
He was more red-faced than usual after forgetting to apply his sunscreen Saturday for San Francisco's morning walk-through. No protective hat for shade, either.
A first-year NFL coach who made the improbable jump from leading the 49ers' defensive line, Tomsula is doing things his way. That has been the case since he took over for departed Jim Harbaugh in January with no coordinator experience but plenty of life experience.