Mariucci's firing puzzles 49ers
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
When the San Francisco 49ers fired Steve Mariucci last week, the players lost more than a head coach.
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"Because of my relationship with Coach Mariucci — having gotten pretty close to him, not only as a coach-player relationship, but also as a friend — it was pretty disappointing to see (him get fired)," 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia said.
49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia said he considered former coach Steve Mariucci a friend.
Garcia is one of six 49ers here for Sunday's NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. This is his third appearance.
Mariucci was fired three days after the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated San Francisco, 31-6, in the NFC divisional playoffs.
San Francisco center Jeremy Newberry, who also played for Mariucci at the University of California, echoed Garcia's sentiments.
"I didn't understand the decision," said Newberry. "The organization had different views so that's the way they went. Unfortunately, I can't make the decisions, but I wasn't happy with the decision. I liked the guy and I was hoping he'd be back."
Newberry, who is backing up Saint Louis School grad Olin Kreutz of the Chicago Bears for the NFC stars, said Mariucci developed a good working relationship with the players.
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"He understands what we're going through," Newberry said. "He's got a pulse on everybody. He's got a relationship with everybody on the field. He's one of those guys you can approach, if you've got anything on your mind."
Cowboys defensive end La’Roi Glover can’t wait to play for Bill Parcells.
Mariucci, now being courted by the Detroit Lions, led the 49ers to the playoffs four times in his six seasons at San Francisco.
"I think he had done a great job with the team in getting the team back to a level of respectability," Garcia said. "I think we were heading in the right direction and now to see that kind of come to a halt (is disappointing). It will be interesting to see who we hire as a new head coach."
Newberry said it is hard to speculate the reason for the 49ers' decision.
"I don't think it was directly related to his performance," he said. "We got to the playoffs the last two years, won a (playoff) game this year. We were definitely taking a step in the right direction, so it had to be another factor somewhere."
Even Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez was shocked at Mariucci's release. Like Newberry, Gonzalez played for Mariucci at Cal.
"I think he's one of the best coaches in the NFL," Gonzalez said. "I know I loved playing for him, but that was six years ago. I don't know the situation there, but I'd vouch for him anytime. He's a great football coach."
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Not all coaching changes disappointed players. The Dallas Cowboys lured Bill Parcells out of the broadcast booth to succeed the fired Dave Campo. It was a change that was needed, according one Cowboy.
49ers linebacker Julian Peterson waits to see who will be his coach.
"He's going to bring a lot of fire," said inside linebacker La'Roi Glover, the sole Dallas representative in the Pro Bowl. "He's going to speed up the tempo a little bit for us. It's a great change. We needed something like that. We needed a spark. I think he's the perfect guy for us."
Glover, appearing in his third Pro Bowl, said Parcells can quickly turn around the Cowboys' fortunes. They finished last in the NFC at 5-11.
"I'm getting excited already," Glover said. "Expectations haven't change. In Dallas, we expect to contend for Super Bowls every year."
