'Too many chiefs' on 49ers, QB says

Kevin Lynch, Chronicle Staff Writer

In his last scheduled appearance on his weekly radio show, Jeff Garcia staunchly supported his fired head coach.

"It's disappointing," Garcia said on KNBR Friday morning. "Coach (Steve) Mariucci has done a great job for this team. He helped bring this team back to respectability in the league. I have a lot of respect for him as a coach and as a person."

Garcia was questioned why the team made the move now.

"We are heading in a right direction," Garcia said of the 49ers, who have gone 22-10 the past two seasons. "Why would you want to mess that up?"

Garcia said he has yet to talk to Mariucci but did talk to offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, who is one of seven coaches dangling without a contract.

"I have a lot of respect for the guy as a coach and as a person," Garcia continued. "He brought a lot of character to this team."

Garcia's staunch support was somewhat of a surprise. Then-general manager Bill Walsh imposed Garcia on Mariucci in 1999. Walsh then jettisoned Ty Detmer, who was then the backup quarterback and a Mariucci favorite.

But it didn't take long for Garcia to win Mariucci over. After his performance in that training camp, Mariucci elevated Garcia to second-string quarterback.

Even though Garcia was at times critical of Mariucci's offense, he held the coach in high esteem.

"Because of my friendship with Steve Mariucci, it's going to be hard to play for someone else," Garcia said.

Mariucci constantly urged the perfectionist Garcia to have fun at his pressure-packed profession. He told Garcia that he was living the dream of playing quarterback for the team he grew up following.

When Packers quarterback and Mariucci advocate Brett Favre criticized Garcia and Terrell Owens for questioning the play-calling, Mariucci came flying to Garcia's aide.

The head coach even made an impromptu visit to the press room to tell reporters that depicting Garcia as a complainer and antagonist would be wrong.

Garcia obviously hasn't forgotten Mariucci's support.

And from his view, Garcia believes Mariucci excelled in a difficult environment.

"He never had the confidence from others that it was his team," Garcia said.

"There were too many chiefs and not enough Indians. It makes it very difficult to coach."

Garcia said that people within the organization constantly encroached upon Mariucci by speaking to the team and always chiming in with advice.

Garcia might be referring to Walsh, who casts a long shadow over any coach of the 49ers because of his history as a successful general manager and Super Bowl-winning coach.

Any time before a big game, Walsh usually addressed the team. He did it the night before the Giants game.

Apparently, Walsh would mimic what Mariucci had just said. Some players thought Walsh's speeches were unneeded but innocuous.

When asked if he thought Mariucci's firing was partially a result of a deteriorating relationship between general manager Terry Donahue and the head coach, Garcia said: "I think it was. It was more than just the relationship between (team owner) Dr. York and Steve Mariucci."

Garcia did say he would play hard and have a good attitude for anyone who is hired. He would also like to be involved in the process.

"I hope they consult some of the leaders on this team and ask them and question them, 'Do you want to play for this guy?' "

Garcia also said he has been unimpressed with the list of possible replacements he has heard through the media.

"We better not fall down," Garcia said. "We've got to move forward."

BRIEFLY: Secondary coach Brett Maxie and linebackers coach Richard Smith have been granted permission to talk with other teams. . . . The 49ers could be on the hook for Mariucci's $2.2 million salary this year, if he doesn't take another job. . . . Former special teams coach Bruce DeHaven was hired by the Cowboys to coach their special teams.

---

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