Jed York to 49ers fans: ‘Trust me’

For the second year in a row, the San Francisco 49ers are searching for a head coach in the offseason.

Just one day after releasing head coach Jim Tomsula, 49ers CEO Jed York addressed the public in a news conference this morning to discuss the team’s “disappointing and painful” 5-11 season that ended Sunday and the search for a new coach.

York opened the news conference by quoting Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, saying:

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence. I believe in that. I believe in chasing perfection.”

York made it clear to reporters that while he wouldn’t be disclosing any specific candidates, he has a clear understanding of what the team was looking for and a short list of candidates in mind.

York said that while they “didn’t get this one right” in taking a chance with the 47-year-old Tomsula, he has faith in his general manager Trent Baalke in choosing their next head coach:

“You can trust me that we will do everything we can to get this team back where it belongs.”

Baalke, who York said is leading the process for the 49ers, has been with the team since 2011. Tomsula last year replaced Jim Harbaugh, who led the team to their most recent Super Bowl appearance in 2013, a loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Moments before the news conference, York addressed the team’s fans in a letter via Twitter, saying he wanted to “apologize to everyone that cares deeply” about the 49ers and that he “shared in their disappointments.”

York asserted that the 49ers will “spare no expense in getting the team back to its championship caliber.” He did not specify plans beyond that, but did hint that the team might be more aggressive in free agency, and that he was grateful the NFL “rewards” bad seasons with higher draft picks.

The 49ers will pick seventh in the upcoming NFL Draft in April.

York’s family, who has owned the 49ers for decades, appointed him president and CEO of the team in 2008. He contended, after speculation that the team was going to be sold, that his family had owned the team since before he was born and that they will continue to own the team long after he is gone.

York concluded the news conference by saying:

“We’re in need of somebody that can win Super Bowls. Period.”