49ers Clubhouse

The Press Democrat

Niners' announcement imminent

February 11, 2003

Decision on next coach due no later than Friday; Mora, Cottrell, Blache still in the running; Neuheisel not interested
By MATT MAIOCCO
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
The 49ers have alerted the three acknowledged candidates that they expect to name the organization's 14th head coach no later than Friday.
On Monday, team owner John York and general manager Terry Donahue continued to discuss the merits of three NFL assistants who interviewed last week, in addition to any college candidates who might still be in the picture.
Washington coach Rick Neuheisel joined a growing list of pro and college coaches who have denied any interest in the job that became vacant when York fired Steve Mariucci for philosophical differences on Jan. 15.
Oregon State's Dennis Erickson is now considered the most likely candidate among college coaches. He has compiled a 144-57-1 record in 17 seasons in the college ranks. He was 31-33 in four seasons as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks from 1995 to '98.
The 49ers have identified three candidates for the head-coaching vacancy, each defensive coordinators in the NFL: the 49ers' Jim Mora, the New York Jets' Ted Cottrell and Greg Blache of the Chicago Bears.
Cottrell, 55, has been a candidate for six previous NFL head-coaching openings.
Neuheisel, rumored to be on the short list of college coaches that the 49ers had identified, said he is not interested in coaching any team other than the Huskies. There is also a $2 million buyout for him to get out of his contract.
In the past week, Southern California coach Pete Carroll and Oklahoma's Bob Stoops have denied interest in the job. Iowa's Kirk Ferentz also reportedly turned down a request to speak to the 49ers, according to ESPN.
Speculation heated up again over the weekend that Neuheisel could be in line for the job when he stopped over in the Bay Area to play golf after reportedly going on a ski trip to Idaho with his family.
Neuheisel played quarterback at UCLA under Donahue and later coached six seasons on his staff.
"I have been out of town the past three days on a family vacation and had hoped when I returned (Monday) that the position at the 49ers would have been filled and this speculation that I was involved would be proven pointless," Neuheisel said in a statement. "Since that has not happen, I feel it is in the best interest of all parties to go on the record with this statement.
"I understand that my name has been linked to this opening because I have a relationship with Terry Donahue that dates back to my playing career at UCLA. We talk occasionally about a number of subjects. I consider him both a mentor and a friend, but we have never discussed the opening with the 49ers."
Insiders never considered Neuheisel a serious candidate for the job because his laid-back demeanor was too similar to that of Mariucci.
Three NFL assistant coaches parlayed the 49ers' interest in them into more lucrative deals with their current teams: Philadelphia offensive and defensive coordinators Brad Childress and Jim Johnson, and Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
None of the pro coaches who remain candidates has ever been a head coach in the NFL.
The 49ers have hired only one coach in team history with NFL head-coaching experience. Norman "Red" Strader, who coached the 49ers in 1955 and died a year later, is the only coach in team history to previously hold a head job in the NFL. He coached the New York Yanks in their inaugural NFL season of 1950.

Tell us what you think on the new 49ers Clubhouse message board.

Decision on next coach due no later than Friday; Mora, Cottrell, Blache still in the running; Neuheisel not interested

By MATT MAIOCCO
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

The 49ers have alerted the three acknowledged candidates that they expect to name the organization's 14th head coach no later than Friday.

On Monday, team owner John York and general manager Terry Donahue continued to discuss the merits of three NFL assistants who interviewed last week, in addition to any college candidates who might still be in the picture.

Washington coach Rick Neuheisel joined a growing list of pro and college coaches who have denied any interest in the job that became vacant when York fired Steve Mariucci for philosophical differences on Jan. 15.

Oregon State's Dennis Erickson is now considered the most likely candidate among college coaches. He has compiled a 144-57-1 record in 17 seasons in the college ranks. He was 31-33 in four seasons as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks from 1995 to '98.

The 49ers have identified three candidates for the head-coaching vacancy, each defensive coordinators in the NFL: the 49ers' Jim Mora, the New York Jets' Ted Cottrell and Greg Blache of the Chicago Bears.

Cottrell, 55, has been a candidate for six previous NFL head-coaching openings.

Neuheisel, rumored to be on the short list of college coaches that the 49ers had identified, said he is not interested in coaching any team other than the Huskies. There is also a $2 million buyout for him to get out of his contract.

In the past week, Southern California coach Pete Carroll and Oklahoma's Bob Stoops have denied interest in the job. Iowa's Kirk Ferentz also reportedly turned down a request to speak to the 49ers, according to ESPN.

Speculation heated up again over the weekend that Neuheisel could be in line for the job when he stopped over in the Bay Area to play golf after reportedly going on a ski trip to Idaho with his family.

Neuheisel played quarterback at UCLA under Donahue and later coached six seasons on his staff.

"I have been out of town the past three days on a family vacation and had hoped when I returned (Monday) that the position at the 49ers would have been filled and this speculation that I was involved would be proven pointless," Neuheisel said in a statement. "Since that has not happen, I feel it is in the best interest of all parties to go on the record with this statement.

"I understand that my name has been linked to this opening because I have a relationship with Terry Donahue that dates back to my playing career at UCLA. We talk occasionally about a number of subjects. I consider him both a mentor and a friend, but we have never discussed the opening with the 49ers."

Insiders never considered Neuheisel a serious candidate for the job because his laid-back demeanor was too similar to that of Mariucci.

Three NFL assistant coaches parlayed the 49ers' interest in them into more lucrative deals with their current teams: Philadelphia offensive and defensive coordinators Brad Childress and Jim Johnson, and Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

None of the pro coaches who remain candidates has ever been a head coach in the NFL.

The 49ers have hired only one coach in team history with NFL head-coaching experience. Norman "Red" Strader, who coached the 49ers in 1955 and died a year later, is the only coach in team history to previously hold a head job in the NFL. He coached the New York Yanks in their inaugural NFL season of 1950.

Tell us what you think on the new 49ers Clubhouse message board.