Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted January 27, 2003 http://msn.espn.go.com/nfl/news/2003/0127/1499550.html ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Marty Mornhinweg was fired as coach of the Detroit Lions on Monday after a 3-13 season, the second-worst record in the NFL, the team has confirmed. The team called a news conference for 3:30 p.m. ET to announce the move. The firing was first reported by radio station WXYT in Detroit. No successor will be named at the news conference. The Lions plan to go through the process of finding a new coach as outlined by NFL guidelines. Steve Mariucci, who was fired by the 49ers earlier this month, is available. However, sources close to Mariucci have told ESPN that he has not been contacted by the Lions regarding their vacancy. The sources also said that Mariucci is uncertain whether he wants to coach next season. Detroit was 5-27 under Mornhinweg over the last two seasons, including a road record of 0-16. The Lions lost their last eight games this season, and only Cincinnati finished with a worse record. Lions chief executive Matt Millen, with the blessing of team owner William Clay Ford Sr., said on Dec. 31 that Mornhinweg would return as coach. Instead, Mornhinweg became the fifth NFL coach to be fired since the end of the season, following dismissals at Cincinnati, Dallas, Jacksonville and San Francisco. Mornhinweg matched Chris Palmer's two-year record (2-14, 3-13) of futility for a new coach since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978. However, in the 1999 and 2000 Cleveland Browns, Palmer was coaching an expansion team, while Mornhinweg took over a team that went 9-7 and narrowly missed the playoffs. Mornhinweg had never been a head coach at any level before taking the job with the Lions. He was widely criticized this season for choosing to take the wind instead of the ball after the Lions won an overtime coin toss against Chicago. The Bears got the kickoff and drove to the winning field goal. When Mornhinweg was hired he set the team's sights on a first Super Bowl trip. The Lions have had only one playoff victory since winning the 1957 NFL title. "The bar is high,'' he said. "The goal for this organization is to win Super Bowls.'' Mornhinweg had insisted the team's weak record stemmed from failed drafts from the previous regime, along with aging or injured players. The past two years, the Lions have gotten rid of five one-time first-round picks -- Herman Moore, Johnnie Morton, Bryant Westbrook, Terry Fair and Aaron Gibson. The Lions also lost Ron Rice, Kurt Schulz and Stephen Boyd to career-ending injuries. The Lions will have the second pick in April's draft, and expect to have enough salary-cap space to sign a couple free agents. The Lions began the season excited about rookie quarterback Joey Harrington and returning downtown from suburban Pontiac for the first time since 1974 to play at Ford Field. Harrington, the third pick in the draft, showed some flashes after he became a starter in Week 3, but he regressed before being sidelined with an irregular heartbeat in the 14th game. I think Millen was just has deserving to be fired. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted January 27, 2003 Gee, it's only a year too late Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Will Scarlet Report post Posted January 27, 2003 Why fire him now? Dammit. I was looking forward to another subpar season by the Lions next year with Marty Mortinwheg at the helm. I feel bad for the poor bastard who ends up coaching the Lions next year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kahran Ramsus Report post Posted January 27, 2003 Why fire him now? Dammit. I was looking forward to another subpar season by the Lions next year with Marty Mortinwheg at the helm. I feel bad for the poor bastard who ends up coaching the Lions next year. Mariucci? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest starvenger Report post Posted January 27, 2003 Why fire him now? Dammit. I was looking forward to another subpar season by the Lions next year with Marty Mortinwheg at the helm. I feel bad for the poor bastard who ends up coaching the Lions next year. Mariucci? How will Millen sell a coach on running the Lions? Besides using Hubie Brown's catchphrase, "tremendous upside"? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Human Fly Report post Posted January 28, 2003 It was worth firing Marty even if they only have a shot at getting Mariucci. If it takes firing Millen to get Mariucci to come (maybe he wants to be GM as well) I'd do it. It's not like they can get any worse. This reminds me of that espn commercial. "C'mon back Barry you're not that old!" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sassquatch Report post Posted January 28, 2003 I would not be surprised to see Mooch get the head coaching spot with the Lions if the money is right. Millen might be a lot of things but even he realizes that nabbing Mariucci would be a good catch since he can't be in to good of graces with Ford and Co. after these last couple of abysmal seasons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted January 28, 2003 How will Millen sell a coach on running the Lions? Besides using Hubie Brown's catchphrase, "tremendous upside"? Actually, they do have a pretty good upside. It's doubtful they'll contend next year, but if the coach (let's presume it'll be Mariucci) and Millen are on the same page when it comes to player personnel and winning, they could lay a good foundation. They have some decent players, and a franchise QB to build around, but they definitely have holes that need to be filled, and a defeatist attitude that needs to be adjusted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kkktookmybabyaway Report post Posted January 28, 2003 "The bar is high,'' he said. "The goal for this organization is to win Super Bowls.'' HAHAHA -- let's try baby steps first. Like going .500... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LaParkaMarka Report post Posted January 28, 2003 What's Monte Kiffen's contract like right now? I know Jim Johnson (Eagles' Defensive Coordinator) just signed a long-term contract, but the Lions could do far worse than Kiffen. The man deserves a head coaching job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted January 28, 2003 Why would anyone wanna coach Detroit? Seriously, does Mariucci wanna take this job when he can sit out a year, work for ESPN, and get hired by a team that hasn't won 5 games the last 2 years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Will Scarlet Report post Posted January 28, 2003 Why would anyone wanna coach Detroit? Well...the bar is set pretty low, so, if you're a young coach, it would be a good place to ply your trade. They have only one playoff win since 1957, so it's not like anyone expects to get to the Super Bowl. Heck, if someone actually won in the playoffs with the Lions, he would probably be the toast of the town. As for Mariucci, well, I am not sure why he would want to coach the Lions. I guess there would be some job security there. I remember after he threw in the towel against Tampa, it seemed some doubted his ability to lead a team to the Super Bowl. If that's the case, then he would fit right in with the Lions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted January 28, 2003 If Steve can't go in there and have a decient season maybe Millen or Ford will think "gee, maybe our team IS shit." I'm usually not in favor of firing a coach as an excuse for a bad team, but Marty was just a really bad coach. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest tank_abbott Report post Posted January 28, 2003 Coach Steve M. is a Michigan Native... U.P. to be exact Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted January 28, 2003 Coach Steve M. is a Michigan Native... U.P. to be exact A lot of us Michigan folk look at the U.P. like Canada 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest starvenger Report post Posted January 28, 2003 Coach Steve M. is a Michigan Native... U.P. to be exact He's from the U.P.? Poor bastard. for those not aware of Michigan lingo, that's "Upper Penninsula" - that part of Michigan between Lake Huron, Lake Superior and Wisconsin. Back on topic, whoever takes this job has to be aware that they are there to do the John Lucas role with the Cavaliers - take a horrible team and make them mediocre. If you can accept that role, then all power to you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kotzenjunge Report post Posted January 28, 2003 And the Packers are ensured at least two wins next year again... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted January 28, 2003 ParkaMarka, rumor has it the Niners are talking to Kiffen about replacing Marric- fuck it, I can't spell his name. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted January 28, 2003 49ers hire a defensive minded head coach? It'll never happen. Mariucci was fired because he wasn't enough of an offensive coach for the taste of Bill Walsh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted January 28, 2003 you may be right Satanico. I went to link you the article from either ESPN or CNNSI, but they both have mysteriously disappered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted January 28, 2003 aaaaaaaaaand it's back. From ESPN.com and probably several other places: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The 49ers got permission to speak to Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin about their head coaching job and interviewed Jets assistant Ted Cottrell on Tuesday. Kiffin built the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense into the No. 1 unit in the NFL, one that dominated the Oakland Raiders' top-rated offense in Sunday's 48-21 victory. San Francisco general manager Terry Donahue plans to talk to Kiffin on Friday or Saturday. Whether they will meet in person depends on the Bucs' busy post-Super Bowl schedule. The 62-year-old Kiffin has expressed interest in becoming an NFL head coach, as long as it's the right situation. His deal with the Buccaneers runs through 2004 and makes him the highest-paid assistant coach in the league at about $1 million annually. San Francisco fired Steve Mariucci on Jan. 15, three days after the 49ers lost to Tampa Bay in the second round of the NFC playoffs. Mariucci is thought to be a leading contender to become the new head coach of the Lions, who fired Marty Mornhinweg on Monday. Cottrell, New York's defensive coordinator, joins a growing list of candidates with the 49ers. Donahue already interviewed Philadelphia offensive coordinator Brad Childress and defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, along with New England defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and 49ers defensive coordinator Jim Mora, the son of the former Indianapolis and New Orleans head coach. Johnson removed his name from the running last week. Owner John York repeatedly has said there is no timetable for hiring a head coach. He will choose from a list of finalists compiled by Donahue. I'm suprised to see them talking to so many defensive guys. Hopefully they didn't talk to Cottrel and Crennel just so they can hang up a "Don't sue us, we love black people" banner between the goalposts or something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sassquatch Report post Posted January 29, 2003 Mariucci has nothing to lose if he goes to coach the Lions but at the same time taking a job at ESPN would not be a bad dal either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LaParkaMarka Report post Posted January 29, 2003 Bah, I wouldn't want to work under an ass like Terry Donahue. I'm guessing the Niners just promote someone from within their existing staff. Hopefully Monte Kiffin can get a job elsewhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted January 29, 2003 Bill Walsh needs to take a hike. The guy was an offensive genius, and developed an offense alot of teams still use. But it sounds like he's a real pain in the ass, and isn't helping the situation in San Fran. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted January 29, 2003 I'm suprised to see them talking to so many defensive guys. Hopefully they didn't talk to Cottrel and Crennel just so they can hang up a "Don't sue us, we love black people" banner between the goalposts or something. I saw the report on Sportscenter shortly after posting. They just look to be talking to every hot assistant and/or college coach. I'd be very surprised if they end up hiring a defensive minded coach. Unless he's offered big money and gets some power over personell i doubt Kiffin will take a head coaching job. He has great job security in Tampa and i believe he's making over a million a year now and he's not exactly young. I don't see him giving that up at his age unless a team gives him great incentives. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted January 31, 2003 Kiffin signed a 3 year 5 million dollar deal to stay in Tampa. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted January 31, 2003 And the Packers are ensured at least two wins next year again... the only two wins they're going to get...da bears are back in chicago next season, foo. may the shit-talking commence. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
