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The fallout What went down ... and what's next for MariucciPosted: Wednesday January 15, 2003 7:29 PMUpdated: Wednesday January 15, 2003 10:57 PM
Observations, tidbits and insights in the wake of Steve Mariucci's departure from San Francisco on Wednesday ... While 49ers general manager Terry Donahue maintains that Mariucci lost his job because the San Francisco sixth-year head coach sought to add the title of director of football operations to his business card, Mariucci's camp has strongly refuted that assertion. Mariucci's agent, Gary O'Hagan, said Wednesday that no demand for any such title was made, and that the two sides hadn't even discussed it. "It’s their prerogative if they don’t want Steve to be their coach," O’Hagan said. "But there was never any demand made. We never ever sat down and talked about it." In addition, Mariucci's camp is making three other points regarding Wednesday's surprise move:
The question that the 49ers' front office seemingly can't answer is this: Even if Mariucci did ask for the additional title, since when is asking a fireable offense? All San Francisco had to say was, 'No, we don't want to go that route, Steve. We don't think we need a director of football operations. But you can still be our head coach.'" If you went in to your boss and requested a $100 a week raise, what would you expect, to settle for maybe half that or to get canned for merely asking?
Mariucci wants to take a break and return in 2004What now for Mariucci? Sources close to the situation say he's still recovering from the shock of Wednesday's events, which blindsided him.The most likely scenario? Mariucci is said to be inclined to take a year off from coaching, collect the $2.25 million he's owed by the 49ers, and come back next offseason when he'll have a broader selection of coaching offers to choose from. In the meantime, he'll hit jack up his income by doing TV and maybe some lecture circuit work. "He'll be the ultimate free agent next year," a league source said. "If he sits out a year, he'll have five offers to choose from." Hours after he was granted his freedom from the 49ers, Mariucci made it clear he was not interested in interviewing in Jacksonville. The Jaguars had him on their list of candidates, but did want to give up compensation to the 49ers in exchange for his rights. Jacksonville is left with Carolina defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey as its leading head coaching candidates. The Jaguars are believed to be leaning toward Del Rio, with current Baltimore director of college scouting Phil Savage seen as the likely choice for the team's newly created general manager-level position. Mariucci and his wife adore living in the Bay Area, and are not eager to move their family at this point. Although it's a long shot, Mariucci's status could change the head coaching situation in Detroit, where ownership decided to bring back Marty Mornhinweg despite his 5-27 record in the first two years on the job. Mariucci, a Michigan native and former Northern Michigan quarterback, was the first choice of Lions president and CEO Matt Millen before he hired Mornhinweg. With Mariucci available, Millen might try to convince ownership that it must swallow its earlier commitment to Mornhinweg and vigorously pursue Mariucci. Don Banks covers pro football for CNNSI.com.
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