After making it to back-to-back NFC Championship Games in 2012 and 2013, the 49ers had a forgettable 8-8 season last year and followed it up with an offseason that was even more nightmarish.
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From a long-tenured coach leaving to beloved players retiring to sexual assault charges, it hasn't been a rosy offseason in San Francisco. The myriad changes and issues have led some to speculate if the black cloud of this offseason will follow the 49ers onto the field when the ball is snapped in Week 1 for their "Monday Night Football" matchup with the Vikings on Sept. 14.
For a team that was one victory away from winning the Super Bowl at the end of the 2012 season, it has had quite the fall from grace. Here is a recap of this tumultuous offseason for the 49ers as they look to avoid struggles in the 2015 campaign.
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1) Harbaugh's Farewell
The 2014 season was a mighty tough one to swallow for Niners Nation as the team finished 8-8 for the first time in four years. After rumors began to surface that Jim Harbaugh could be on his way out, he officially parted ways with the team after its final game last season, a 20-17 victory over the Cardinals on Dec. 28, 2014. Two days later, Harbaugh was introduced as the Michigan Wolverines' new head coach.
2) Rambling Replacement
The 49ers announced on Jan. 14 that Jim Tomsula would take the reins as head coach in the wake of Harbaugh's departure. His introduction to the world did not go smoothly. Tomsula sat down with CSN Bay Area just two days after being introduced, and mumbled his way through the interview. One of his classic fumbled lines: "I would not say that. I wouldn't say it either." Check out the cringe-worthy interview below.
3) Calling it a Career
All-pro linebacker Patrick Willis shocked the San Francisco faithful when he revealed in March that he planned to retire due to injuries to both of his feet. "Never fear," the Niners fans thought, "we still have Chris Borland to replace him." Well, exactly one week later, Borland announced that he was also hanging up his cleats due to fear of head trauma he sustained over the years. Justin Smith and Anthony Davis also rode off into the sunset this offseason.
4) Legal Troubles
In the most awful part of the offseason, Ray McDonald and Ahmad Brooks both got into legal trouble for sexual assault. The incident occurred on Dec. 15 at McDonald's home and the defensive end was indicted on one count of rape of an intoxicated person, while Brooks was charged with misdemeanor sexual battery on the same person that very same day, according to ESPN. McDonald is set to be arraigned on Sept. 25 and faces up to eight years in prison. Brooks may get up to six months in jail, but his arraignment date hasn't been set.
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