Tom Gamble is heading home.
The 49ers' director of player personnel is the new vice president of player personnel for the Eagles, the team with which he got his start as an NFL scout in 1988. Gamble's father, Harry, was he Eagles' president from 1986-95, and Tom Gamble grew up in nearby Haddonfield, N.J.
The Eagles had been looking for someone to fill the spot left by Ryan Grigson, who left to become the Colts general manager last year. It appears as if Gamble's job in Philadelphia will be similar to the one he had in San Francisco in that he will work both in the college and pro personnel departments and report to general manager Howie Roseman.
"Since Ryan Grigson left to become the General Manager of the Colts, we've been looking for the right person to fill his spot and we are excited about what Tom can bring to the team," Roseman said. "He's not only a talented evaluator, but also a good man and the type of person you want as a part of your team. Tom and I have had a great relationship over the years and I know he's excited to come home. He had a great run in San Francisco and they have been very successful over the last few years. He will jump right in with our group and get working on free agency and the draft."
In the last two months Gamble, 49, has interviewed for general manager openings, including with the Jaguars and Jets. It's not yet known how the 49ers will fill the spot left by Gamble's departure, although there are a number of internal candidates, including director of college scouting Joel Patten and national scout Matt Malaspina.
Gamble spent the last eight seasons with the 49ers, the last two as director of player personnel where he reported to general manager Trent Baalke. Said Baalke in a statement:
"I would like to thank Tom for his hard work, dedication and loyalty over the past eight seasons. He has played an instrumental role within our personnel department, and is a true professional in every sense of the word. As a friend, I will always appreciate the relationship we have, and wish him and his family all the best."
-- Matt Barrows
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