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Intense and dynamic, yet just one of the boys

Steve Mariucci would bring a complex package to Tampa Bay. Yes, it includes a reputation as a productive offensive mind.

By PETE YOUNG, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 16, 2002

San Francisco 49ers coach Steve Mariucci, the latest candidate to replace Tony Dungy as Bucs coach, is high-profile and media friendly. He is popular with fans and players and respected by his peers.

He's young, 46, yet has winning experience at the highest level. He has a glittering resume and keen mind. His calling card is innovative, productive offense. He is a West Coast offense disciple. He is the image of the 21st century NFL coach.

He also has perhaps the most famous set of blue eyes in sports.

Mariucci's somewhat glamorous profile, however, is in contrast to his humble origins and fiery, one-of-the-guys persona.

Mariucci was raised in Michigan's frigid, sparsely populated Upper Peninsula -- he is a "Yooper" in Wolverine State parlance. His best friend growing up was Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo. Each year they co-host a charity golf tournament in Iron Mountain, their hometown.

Mariucci was a devoted fan of the meat-and-potatoes Green Bay Packers of the 1960s, located about 100 miles away. In his office is a picture of himself as a 10-year-old at Packers training camp, looking up at Green Bay's Herb Adderley and Willie Wood, eventual Hall of Famers.

When Mariucci was an assistant at Green Bay from 1992 to 1995, he was known for being close to his players. One of them used to babysit his children (Mariucci and wife Gayle have four, ages 6-17). Later, the Mariucci's prankster babysitter, Brett Favre, won three MVP awards.

Though Mariucci is known as an offensive strategist, he spends most of his time fretting about getting his team to react to his motivational tactics.

"That's what's constantly on a head coach's mind, what to say to the team next, when you say it and in what tone of voice," Mariucci said. "Those are the things you struggle with at night when you go to sleep because attitude and team chemistry are so important right now."

A Division II All-America quarterback at Northern Michigan (where roommate Izzo played on the basketball team), Mariucci's coaching career started in 1978-79 at his alma mater. At his eighth stop, Green Bay, where he was quarterbacks coach, he became known as a West Coast offense guru and tagged as a possible head coach.

Through the years Mariucci became known for his infectious attitude.

"He finds a way to motivate this team," 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia said. "He has this sense of nonstop energy. He can joke around with you or be serious but his enthusiasm is never negative."

Some of his methods are offbeat. On the eve of a game, Mariucci shows a video of highlights from the previous game spliced between "subliminal thoughts," which include clips from movies that often poke fun at players and coaches.

"You've got to have a new theme, a new purpose, a new reason why the game is important," Mariucci said. "It's not easy to get a team up 16 times. It's very difficult, very tricky. I don't have all the answers."

Mariucci was hailed this season for turning around the 49ers, from 10-22 the previous two seasons to 12-4. His tense relationship with enigmatic star receiver Terrell Owens, however, led to speculation he would become the Notre Dame coach.

Columnist Skip Bayless of the San Jose Mercury News wrote, "(Mariucci's) heart-on-sleeve belief in good-old-days sportsmanship and honor make it difficult for him to live with Owens and make him better suited for college football."

Nevertheless, the 49ers rallied behind Mariucci.

"All of the growing pains we had with this team last year, he never once was negative," offensive tackle Scott Gragg said. "He said, ... "We are going to be a good team,' and he was right. I think that trickled down to the assistants and to the team and I think that makes for a good atmosphere."

Apparently, Mariucci -- despite a 47-33 mark in five seasons -- and the 49er brass are not fond of each other anymore.

"I think his fire, his excitement, it basically passes through everyone in this locker room," Garcia said. "We feed off of that. I think his love and emotion for the game has been a very positive asset for this team to build to where we are today. I don't think that would have happened without his dedication for the game."

-- Times researcher John Martin contributed to this report, which used information from other news organizations.

STEVE MARIUCCI

AGE: 46.

COACHING EXPERIENCE: Coach, 49ers, 1997-2001 (47-33 regular season, 2-3 playoffs); coach, University of California, 1996 (6-5); quarterbacks coach, Green Bay Packers, 1992-95; wide receivers/special teams coach/offensive coordinator, California, 1987-91; wide receivers/special teams coach, USC, 1986; wide receivers coach, Orlando Renegades, 1985; assistant head coach/offensive coordinator, Louisville, 1983-84; quarterback/special teams coach, Cal State Fullerton, 1980-82; quarterback/running backs coach, Northern Michigan (1978-79).

49ERS YEAR BY YEAR: 1997 -- 13-3 (1st in NFC West), beat Minnesota 38-22 in playoff, lost to Green Bay 23-10 in NFC championship; 1998 -- 12-4 (2nd in West), beat Green Bay 30-27 in wild card, lost to Atlanta 20-18 in playoff; 1999 -- 4-12 (4th in West); 2000 -- 6-10 (4th in West); 2001 -- 12-4 (2nd in West), lost to Green Bay 25-15 in wild card.

2001 49ERS RANKINGS: Total offense (4th, 356.8 yards a game), rushing offense (2nd, 140.2 a game), scoring offense (3rd, 25.6 points a game), passing offense (18th, 222.4 a game), total defense (13th, 309.6 a game).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: After an 0-10 record in 1974 at Northern Michigan, Mariucci led the Wildcats to a 13-1 mark and the NCAA Division II national title in 1975. He was named team MVP for three consecutive seasons.

FAMILY: Wife Gayle; children Tyler (17), Adam (15), Stephen (13) and Brielle (6).

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