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Sacramento Bee

No use waiting

February 13, 2003

One day into his job as coach, Dennis Erickson says the 49ers can compete for the Super Bowl next season.
By Jim Jenkins -- Bee Staff Writer
SAN FRANCISCO -- In his first public appearance as coach of the 49ers, Dennis Erickson stepped to the microphone Wednesday and said just what the team's administration, players and passionate fans wanted to hear:
"I'd like to believe that we can compete for a world championship next year. I'm getting old. I've got to get going."
Erickson's crack about age -- he turns 56 next month -- had nothing to do with the reaction that surrounded Tuesday's announcement that he had been hired away from Oregon State to succeed Steve Mariucci.
General manager Terry Donahue, 49ers owner John York and team consultant Bill Walsh provided some answers as to why, after a whirlwind weekend of interviews in two states, they decided Erickson was a better man for the job than the three NFL defensive coordinators who were presumed to be the leading candidates -- Jim Mora of the 49ers, Greg Blache of the Chicago Bears and Ted Cottrell of the New York Jets.
Donahue said Erickson's name was on a long list of candidates after Mariucci was fired Jan. 15, but the 49ers didn't explore his interest until Friday. Donahue then set up a Saturday interview in San Francisco.
Monday, Donahue said, he and York hopped on a plane and met Erickson in Portland, Ore. Erickson wanted to consult his family before making a decision but accepted the job Tuesday morning.
Erickson said he held an "emotional" farewell with his Oregon State players later Tuesday. He told them he wouldn't return for a fifth season and instead hoped to add an NFL title to two national championships he won at the University of Miami.
"The players are very goal-oriented ... they understood," said Erickson, who led the Beavers to three bowl appearances.
Donahue, York and Walsh said they agreed Erickson was the correct choice. But they lauded the three other finalists, two of whom -- Blache, 53, and Cottrell, 55 -- are African American.
Mora and the other 49ers assistants under contract will meet with Erickson. Mora, 41, could stay with the 49ers or possibly become the defensive coordinator at Detroit under Mariucci or at Carolina.
Four former 49ers assistants have relocated following Mariucci's departure. Apparently going nowhere, though, is offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.
Erickson, emphasizing his football philosophy is to be aggressive, said Knapp, the former Sacramento State quarterback and coach, will return for a third season in his present position. Quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner also likely will be retained.
Content to work with Knapp, Erickson said, is in keeping with his plan to basically go with the same West Coast offensive scheme Walsh started with the 49ers as coach in 1979.
"Why change it? It's been very successful," said Erickson, who had a brief airplane chat with 49ers star receiver Terrell Owens during a flight to Portland. "We're going to look at everything, but I don't see many big changes in store."
Donahue, who coached against Erickson in the Pacific-10 Conference when he was at UCLA and Erickson at Washington State in the 1980s, paused when asked for the reasons behind the coaching change.
"I don't think we have the best team. I'm not saying that. But we have a good team," said Donahue who, according to York, had the final say on the selection of Erickson. "We have six Pro Bowlers (and have won) as many games as almost anybody in this league over the last two years.
"We aren't here to finish second. We're here to win, and we have an expectation level. When you come to the San Francisco 49ers, you know that before you come. When Bill brought me here, I knew full well that I had to follow in the shadow of Bill Walsh. You don't take this kind of job if you're timid. You take this job if you have confidence, and if you think you can get it done."
Quarterback Jeff Garcia, among those most critical of the 49ers' monthlong search, seemed satisfied with the choice. Garcia was happy an offensive-minded coach was chosen.
"I think it kind of came as a surprise to everybody just how it happened so rapidly, (but Erickson) getting the job doesn't surprise me because of the qualifications he brings to this job," Garcia said. "I think he is going to do a great job. He has definitely shown he is capable of taking this team to a championship level."
Said Walsh: "What more can you ask? He's got a great mind. He'll adapt to the 49ers. He brings a new dimension to our offensive team. We've been concerned about getting the football down the field all last season and I think if anybody can do it, Dennis can."

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

One day into his job as coach, Dennis Erickson says the 49ers can compete for the Super Bowl next season.

By Jim Jenkins -- Bee Staff Writer

SAN FRANCISCO -- In his first public appearance as coach of the 49ers, Dennis Erickson stepped to the microphone Wednesday and said just what the team's administration, players and passionate fans wanted to hear:

"I'd like to believe that we can compete for a world championship next year. I'm getting old. I've got to get going."

Erickson's crack about age -- he turns 56 next month -- had nothing to do with the reaction that surrounded Tuesday's announcement that he had been hired away from Oregon State to succeed Steve Mariucci.

General manager Terry Donahue, 49ers owner John York and team consultant Bill Walsh provided some answers as to why, after a whirlwind weekend of interviews in two states, they decided Erickson was a better man for the job than the three NFL defensive coordinators who were presumed to be the leading candidates -- Jim Mora of the 49ers, Greg Blache of the Chicago Bears and Ted Cottrell of the New York Jets.

Donahue said Erickson's name was on a long list of candidates after Mariucci was fired Jan. 15, but the 49ers didn't explore his interest until Friday. Donahue then set up a Saturday interview in San Francisco.

Monday, Donahue said, he and York hopped on a plane and met Erickson in Portland, Ore. Erickson wanted to consult his family before making a decision but accepted the job Tuesday morning.

Erickson said he held an "emotional" farewell with his Oregon State players later Tuesday. He told them he wouldn't return for a fifth season and instead hoped to add an NFL title to two national championships he won at the University of Miami.

"The players are very goal-oriented ... they understood," said Erickson, who led the Beavers to three bowl appearances.

Donahue, York and Walsh said they agreed Erickson was the correct choice. But they lauded the three other finalists, two of whom -- Blache, 53, and Cottrell, 55 -- are African American.

Mora and the other 49ers assistants under contract will meet with Erickson. Mora, 41, could stay with the 49ers or possibly become the defensive coordinator at Detroit under Mariucci or at Carolina.

Four former 49ers assistants have relocated following Mariucci's departure. Apparently going nowhere, though, is offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.

Erickson, emphasizing his football philosophy is to be aggressive, said Knapp, the former Sacramento State quarterback and coach, will return for a third season in his present position. Quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner also likely will be retained.

Content to work with Knapp, Erickson said, is in keeping with his plan to basically go with the same West Coast offensive scheme Walsh started with the 49ers as coach in 1979.

"Why change it? It's been very successful," said Erickson, who had a brief airplane chat with 49ers star receiver Terrell Owens during a flight to Portland. "We're going to look at everything, but I don't see many big changes in store."

Donahue, who coached against Erickson in the Pacific-10 Conference when he was at UCLA and Erickson at Washington State in the 1980s, paused when asked for the reasons behind the coaching change.

"I don't think we have the best team. I'm not saying that. But we have a good team," said Donahue who, according to York, had the final say on the selection of Erickson. "We have six Pro Bowlers (and have won) as many games as almost anybody in this league over the last two years.

"We aren't here to finish second. We're here to win, and we have an expectation level. When you come to the San Francisco 49ers, you know that before you come. When Bill brought me here, I knew full well that I had to follow in the shadow of Bill Walsh. You don't take this kind of job if you're timid. You take this job if you have confidence, and if you think you can get it done."

Quarterback Jeff Garcia, among those most critical of the 49ers' monthlong search, seemed satisfied with the choice. Garcia was happy an offensive-minded coach was chosen.

"I think it kind of came as a surprise to everybody just how it happened so rapidly, (but Erickson) getting the job doesn't surprise me because of the qualifications he brings to this job," Garcia said. "I think he is going to do a great job. He has definitely shown he is capable of taking this team to a championship level."

Said Walsh: "What more can you ask? He's got a great mind. He'll adapt to the 49ers. He brings a new dimension to our offensive team. We've been concerned about getting the football down the field all last season and I think if anybody can do it, Dennis can."

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