Mariucci: Dead coach walking

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 2:25 pm

BY DREW SHARP

FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

How did Steve Mariucci leave Ford Field late Thanksgiving afternoon still employed?

If he isn't immediately relieved of his duties after the holiday disgrace that the Lions subjected the nation to, then owner William Clay Ford is guilty on all counts of detached indifference. If Mariucci isn't served up like a Butterball on a platter after the utter nonsense of the Lions' 27-7 loss to Atlanta, then the seats at Ford Field should reflect the emptiness of thought and desire within the organization in the final two home games.

It's no longer a season. It's a wake.

The Lions resembled a team fairly certain its coach won't be around much longer.

So why wait?

Team president Matt Millen declined comment when asked about the likelihood of Mariucci not coaching another game with the Lions. He also declined comment when asked if there was an emergency meeting scheduled with him, Mariucci and Ford either after the game or sometime today.

According to one team source, there was talk around the team compound this week that if the Lions embarrassed themselves on national television Thursday, Millen probably wouldn't wait until after the season to fire Mariucci.

The concession against the Falcons certainly qualifies as an embarrassment.

A frustrated Kevin Jones reportedly blasted the offensive philosophy and several players privately suggested a sudden coaching change wouldn't surprise them. The mood of the locker room didn't match the festiveness of the holiday.

Rest of the story can be found in the THNHuddle

Looks like Mooch is or will be out in Detroit.

What happens to the roster prior to next season???

The last 3 years they have selected a WR with the No. 1 pick, we could use a wideout the size of Williams or Williams, I'd pass on Rodgers.

Will a new coach want a new QB, we've got one if he wants to come by and kick the tires.

Should they get rid of Millen also?

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 4:10 pm

Oh boy, is this the relighting of the Mike Williams debate?

Detroit is one of those clubs that always seem to be bumping along. Even when they're good (which isn't often), they don't impress.

I was surprised when Millen got the job there, and I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see him go.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 9:25 pm

There is no viable replacement for Mooch.
He's safe until there is.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 12:24 pm

Teams potentially looking at new Head Coaching positions in the near future:

Detroit (Dead 2 MEN walking)
Dallas (Retirement)
Minnesota (if they do not have a winning season)
Kansas City (retirement)
St. Louis (what a mess, Martz is GONE)
Houston (do I need to explain?)
Green Bay (If Favre retires)
Philadelphia (Andy may just finally get sick of Philthy)
New Orleans (sure the San Antonio Saints/Devils will need a good one)
N.Y. Jets (Will or Will he not move to Kansas)

... Baltimore, Phoenix and San Francisco get an extra year grace period (but not more than that)

The turn around will be awesome this off-season maybe even earlier.

The temptations are just too high for ANY of those teams not to try to kidnap G. Williams from us!

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 8:54 pm

Really doesn't matter. He's not really looking like a World-Beater any more. Just good enough to keep us in games.

skinsfan1 · Post by **skinsfan1** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:33 pm

Looks like the pardon didn't come through!

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?sec ... id=2239343

Associated Press
National Football League News Wire

DETROIT -- The disappointing Detroit Lions fired coach Steve Mariucci and some of his assistants on Monday, a team official told The Associated Press.

After Detroit lost 27-7 to the Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving to fall to 4-7, reports swirled that the team was considering firing Mariucci. When Mariucci was not let go over the weekend, some thought his job was safe for the final five games of the regular season.

Mariucci and the assistants were fired late Monday morning, said the team official, who spoke with the AP on the condition of anonymity because the team had not yet made the official announcement.

The Lions have lost four of five games since a solid start put them atop the NFC North with the Chicago Bears. The team has collapsed on and off the field with players failing to produce and some bickering with one another and questioning the coaches' game plans.

Mariucci's record with the Lions was 15-28. His hiring was hailed by fans and media alike, but he was not able to turn around a team that has won one playoff game since 1957.

Mariucci has more than two years remaining on the $25 million contract he signed in 2003. The Michigan native came to the Lions from San Francisco, where he was 60-43 over six seasons.

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 3:28 pm

Of all people, Mariucci was not that club's problem.

skins81 · Post by **skins81** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 3:52 pm

Things could always be worse. You could grow up a Lions fan. :wink:

joebagadonuts · Post by **joebagadonuts** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 3:57 pm

i don't understand. why do this now? it's not like the snyder-norv debacle, where snyder claimed he was trying to prvide a spark to get the team into the playoffs. the lions are done. why not just play the season out and then let him go? they'll just have an interim coach anyway.

skins81 · Post by **skins81** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 4:08 pm

Three top ten picks in the last three years.
All used on WR.
but Mariucci is the problem :roll:

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 4:39 pm

The worse part is, they are replacing him with Dick Jauron. That's like a kidney transplant where they replace a diseased kidney with a hamster kidney.

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:13 pm

JansenFan wrote:The worse part is, they are replacing him with Dick Jauron. That's like a kidney transplant where they replace a diseased kidney with a hamster kidney.

And here I thought Terry Robiskie might get a third shot at being an "interim head coach." :lol:

Mursilis · Post by **Mursilis** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:31 pm

skins81 wrote:Three top ten picks in the last three years.
All used on WR.
but Mariucci is the problem

I'm curious about this - how much say did Mariucci have in the draft? I can't believe he didn't play at least a small role.

skins81 · Post by **skins81** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:33 pm

Mursilis wrote:
skins81 wrote:Three top ten picks in the last three years.
All used on WR.
but Mariucci is the problem

I'm curious about this - how much say did Mariucci have in the draft? I can't believe he didn't play at least a small role.

I thought that was Millen trying to give Harrington weapons.

redskingush · Post by **redskingush** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:40 pm

I think it might be time to fire Matt Millen, isn't he the dumby making all the decisions.

andyjens89 · Post by **andyjens89** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:40 pm

Mooch should get picked up by the Skins as an OC