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Contra Costa Times

Garcia's frustration with search turns to satisfaction

February 13, 2003

49ers notebook
SAN FRANCISCO -- Nearly two weeks after calling the 49ers' coaching search "embarrassing," quarterback Jeff Garcia said Wednesday that Dennis Erickson was "definitely deserving" of becoming the 14th coach in 49ers history.
"Obviously there were a lot of question marks as to where we were going," Garcia said, "but I think the right guy was chosen. ... I was only surprised (Erickson was hired Tuesday) due to the fact that I hadn't heard a lot about his name being mentioned for the job."
The parties involved said the courting of Erickson began Friday with a phone call from general manager Terry Donahue. "That was the first time I thought I would ever have the opportunity to coach the San Francisco 49ers," Erickson said.
Erickson then flew to the Bay Area and met collectively and individually Saturday with Donahue, 49ers owner representative John York and 49ers consultant Bill Walsh. Erickson flew home that night on the same plane with the Oregon State women's basketball team, which was told by Erickson that he was in San Francisco for a Nike-related clinic, according to Beavers sports information director Hal Cowan.
"I had strong indications he'd be the coach Saturday night, but it was still a tough decision to go back and discuss things with regards to all four men," York said, referring to the three other finalists -- NFL defensive coordinators Jim Mora of the 49ers, Ted Cottrell of the New York Jets and Greg Blache of the Chicago Bears. "Terry, Bill and I talked about it on Sunday. We talked about it on Monday morning. Monday afternoon we decided that was it. Terry called Dennis and said let's get together."
Donahue and York flew to Portland on Monday night, and York said they met for an 11/2 hours with Erickson. York said it took only 40 minutes to agree on a five-year, $12.5 million deal, which Erickson accepted Tuesday morning.
On Erickson's agenda
Erickson said his first task will be to fill out his staff by early next week. He planned to interview the five remaining 49ers assistants -- Mora, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner, offensive line coach Pat Morris and secondary coach Brett Maxie -- Wednesday and today. Erickson said he'll bring an undetermined number of Oregon State assistants with him.
Mora's future
Erickson said he talked Tuesday night with Mora, and Donahue said he was waiting to hear from Mora on his plans. "I'd like to have Jim here," York said. Asked if he'd let Mora out of his contract to join the Detroit Lions under former 49ers coach Steve Mariucci, York said, "Let's wait and see what he does with Dennis." Mora was believed to have a standing offer to become the Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator, but that job went Wednesday to Panthers defensive line coach Mike Trgovac. He replaces Jack Del Rio, who became the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach last month.
What about Denny?
When Mariucci got fired Jan. 15, former Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green immediately voiced his interest in filling the opening, but he never was interviewed. "We just felt Dennis' qualifications didn't really match what (the 49ers) wanted," said Walsh, a longtime Green supporter. "Dennis has been a general manager, a head coach, a personnel director at Minnesota. That wasn't the role he would have played here."
-- Cam Inman

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49ers notebook

SAN FRANCISCO -- Nearly two weeks after calling the 49ers' coaching search "embarrassing," quarterback Jeff Garcia said Wednesday that Dennis Erickson was "definitely deserving" of becoming the 14th coach in 49ers history.

"Obviously there were a lot of question marks as to where we were going," Garcia said, "but I think the right guy was chosen. ... I was only surprised (Erickson was hired Tuesday) due to the fact that I hadn't heard a lot about his name being mentioned for the job."

The parties involved said the courting of Erickson began Friday with a phone call from general manager Terry Donahue. "That was the first time I thought I would ever have the opportunity to coach the San Francisco 49ers," Erickson said.

Erickson then flew to the Bay Area and met collectively and individually Saturday with Donahue, 49ers owner representative John York and 49ers consultant Bill Walsh. Erickson flew home that night on the same plane with the Oregon State women's basketball team, which was told by Erickson that he was in San Francisco for a Nike-related clinic, according to Beavers sports information director Hal Cowan.

"I had strong indications he'd be the coach Saturday night, but it was still a tough decision to go back and discuss things with regards to all four men," York said, referring to the three other finalists -- NFL defensive coordinators Jim Mora of the 49ers, Ted Cottrell of the New York Jets and Greg Blache of the Chicago Bears. "Terry, Bill and I talked about it on Sunday. We talked about it on Monday morning. Monday afternoon we decided that was it. Terry called Dennis and said let's get together."

Donahue and York flew to Portland on Monday night, and York said they met for an 11/2 hours with Erickson. York said it took only 40 minutes to agree on a five-year, $12.5 million deal, which Erickson accepted Tuesday morning.

On Erickson's agenda

Erickson said his first task will be to fill out his staff by early next week. He planned to interview the five remaining 49ers assistants -- Mora, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner, offensive line coach Pat Morris and secondary coach Brett Maxie -- Wednesday and today. Erickson said he'll bring an undetermined number of Oregon State assistants with him.

Mora's future

Erickson said he talked Tuesday night with Mora, and Donahue said he was waiting to hear from Mora on his plans. "I'd like to have Jim here," York said. Asked if he'd let Mora out of his contract to join the Detroit Lions under former 49ers coach Steve Mariucci, York said, "Let's wait and see what he does with Dennis." Mora was believed to have a standing offer to become the Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator, but that job went Wednesday to Panthers defensive line coach Mike Trgovac. He replaces Jack Del Rio, who became the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach last month.

What about Denny?

When Mariucci got fired Jan. 15, former Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green immediately voiced his interest in filling the opening, but he never was interviewed. "We just felt Dennis' qualifications didn't really match what (the 49ers) wanted," said Walsh, a longtime Green supporter. "Dennis has been a general manager, a head coach, a personnel director at Minnesota. That wasn't the role he would have played here."

-- Cam Inman

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