By Morris Phillips

The NFL’s lowest scoring team in overtime in Week 17 against another offensively-challenged squad in a half-empty stadium?

That’s unwatchable.

Consequently, the 49ers’ brass has opted to change the channel—again–firing head coach Jim Tomsula after one season at the helm, just hours following the team’s 19-16 win over the Rams in overtime.

“Jimmy has been a valuable member of the 49ers organization for the last nine years,” said CEO Jed York. “We all know he is a man of high character, and his contributions on the field and in our community have always been greatly appreciated. This entire organization is proud and grateful to have worked so closely alongside Jimmy. We all wish him and his family great success in the future.”

The 49ers hired Tomsula a year ago to replace Jim Harbaugh, and the former defensive line coach immediately found himself in a toxic situation. The 49ers were decimated by retirement (Patrick Willis, Justin Smith, Chris Borland, Anthony Davis) and free agency (Frank Gore, Mike Iupati, Michael Crabtree) in the off-season, pushing the team further away from its’ Super Bowl season in 2012.

On August 7, during the pre-season, things took a depressing turn when pass rusher Aldon Smith was arrested after a driving incident outside his home in San Jose, and subsequently released by the team the next day. Tomsula gave an impassioned speech after the announcement, vowing that he and the team would continue to support Smith personally in his battle with repeated personal issues.

Then after starting the season impressively in a Monday night win over the Vikings, a four-game losing streak ensued, bringing scrutiny on Tomsula and faltering quarterback Colin Kaepernick. After the team fell to 2-6 in a lopsided loss in St. Louis, Kaepernick was benched, replaced by backup Blaine Gabbert in the next game at home against the Falcons.

Throughout, the team struggled to score points, finishing last in the NFL in scoring at 14.9 points a game. Tomsula was specifically singled out for the team’s chronic slow starts—they scored just one first quarter touchdown all season (in Week 16)—unusually high numbers of penalties, and a lackluster loss at Cleveland to the lowly Browns.

Loved by his players, but criticized for his lack of experience as a head coach, and an inability to win in-game strategic battles, Tomsula drew unanimous support in the 49ers’ locker room after Sunday’s game.

“I’ve been with Jimmy my whole career. I love Jimmy. It’s always been a good time with him,” NaVorro Bowman said after the game, and before the announcement of Tomsula’s firing.

When Tomsula took the postgame podium following the game, he was not in the mood to address his future, determined to keep the focus on the team and the overtime win.

“I have not talked to ownership,” Tomsula said. “I haven’t had any conversations of the such. I wouldn’t expect to until the season’s over. What I would like to say to everybody is, I’m not going to make this about Jim and Jim’s job status here today. Okay? And I got a group of guys here, players that just won a football game. They’ve been through a very tough season. They’ve stuck together. They went a won a game in overtime. And they fought like crazy. And today is all about those players. My job status and anything going forward there can be handled in the rest of the week.”

As recently as this week it was thought that the team would opt to bring Tomsula back for a second season, but reports surfaced over the weekend that the team would release him to pursue a higher profile coach with offensive leanings. Among the names that have been mentioned to replace Tomsula: Chip Kelly, Sean Payton, David Shaw and Mike Holmgren.

With that backdrop, the 49ers took the field on Sunday with an optimal chance to finish their season on a high note, facing the Rams with backup Case Keenum at quarterback, and without rookie sensation Todd Gurley, who was held out with a foot injury.

The game featured a spirited 49ers’ defensive effort and two exceptional plays in overtime: Dontae Johnson’s block of Greg Zuerlein’s 48-yard field goal attempt that would have won it for the Rams, and Quinton Patton’s zig-zagging catch and run that set up the 49ers for the game-winning field goal with 3:27 remaining in overtime.

Gabbert finished 28 for 44 for 354 yards and one 33-yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin. DuJuan Harris led the team offensively with 154 yards running and receiving.

By winning in overtime, the 49ers finish the season 5-11, slightly lessening their draft position that could net them a franchise quarterback in Cal’s Jared Goff or Memphis’ Paxton Lynch with the fifth-to-eighth pick.