'I'm satisfied and happy'
Mariucci receives new five-year deal
Posted: Tuesday January 12, 1999 09:23 PM
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Mariucci has a 27-9 record in two seasons with the 49ers AP |
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Forget those rumors Steve Mariucci was on his
way out as San Francisco
49ers coach.
Mariucci was signed Tuesday to a new five-year contract worth about $2
million per season, quashing speculation about his future with the team.
The deal, which replaced the three years remaining on his original
pact, binds him to the 49ers through 2003.
"This is a happy day," said interim general manager John McVay. He
completed this week the negotiations that started 2 1/2 months ago by Larry
Thrailkill, who resigned Saturday as interim team president.
"The team, and the ownership and the organization are delighted to have
this done and to have the comfort of knowing that we're going to have Steve
here for five years on a new contract," McVay said.
Meanwhile, Mariucci said he planned to meet Wednesday with Bill Walsh
to discuss Walsh's return to the organization. Walsh could be hired by
Thursday or Friday.
Walsh, the Hall of Fame coach who led San Francisco to its first three
Super Bowls, is expected to help in personnel evaluation and oversee the
draft. The 49ers fired their director of player personnel, Vinny Cerrato,
late Monday.
Mariucci, whose job security was the subject of constant speculation
despite his winning record, said he was relieved the deal was finally done.
"We tried to bring this news to you earlier. Sorry it took so long,"
Mariucci said, smiling. "We finally had the opportunity to spend the time
to hammer out all the issues and discuss it with the necessary parties and
come to an agreement.
"I can't tell you how excited I am to get this over with and move on,
and find a way to keep our team together and add to it if we can and keep
the guys that are necessary to continue to be a strong contender each
year."
Mariucci, who succeeded George Seifert two years ago, led San Francisco
to a 12-4 regular season finish and an NFC wild-card victory over Green Bay
before the 49ers were eliminated by Atlanta 20-18 in a divisional playoff
Saturday.
Overall, he has gone 27-9, including an 18-1 mark at home, but there
were rumors during the season that 49ers ownership planned to oust him and
bring back Mike Holmgren from Green Bay.
Those rumors calmed down after the 49ers beat the Packers and Holmgren
left Green Bay to become coach and general manager of the Seattle Seahawks.
But as recently as Monday, ESPN reported that Mariucci was angered over
a last-minute snag in the negotiations and supposedly was about to ask out
of his contract or resign.
Mariucci denied that he considered leaving the 49ers at any time.
"It's amazing to me how many rumors there were and I couldn't imagine
where they were getting these ideas," he said. "Geez, I heard I was mad and
irate, and all those things. Sure, maybe we were all a little frustrated
that it took so long to get it done. But those things happen in a
negotiation. I'm satisfied and happy with it. The club is happy and
satisfied with it."
Mariucci said the talks took longer than expected because he was busy
running the team during the season and the 49ers' front office has been in
flux with co-owner Eddie DeBartolo still awaiting NFL clearance to resume
control of the team from his sister, co-owner Denise Debartolo York.
The team also has yet to sign permanent replacements for Carmen Policy
and Dwight Clark, the 49ers' top two executives before moving on to the
Cleveland Browns expansion franchise.
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