ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 16, 1997 TAG: 9701160052
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: SAN FRANCISCO
SOURCE: Associated Press
In eight years as the San Francisco 49ers coach, George Seifert won two Super Bowls and built the best winning percentage in NFL history. On Wednesday, in a startling move, he retired.
He was expected to be succeeded by Steve Mariucci, who was 6-6 at California this year, his only season as a head coach.
Carmen Policy, the 49ers president, said the team had not yet hired Seifert's replacement - but that only one person was being considered.
``We are presently negotiating with that one individual,'' Policy said. ``No offer has been made to anybody. Those negotiations are going to continue tomorrow.''
Seifert said he made his decision to leave the job while vacationing in Mexico.
``My wife first told me when I got this job, `Don't screw it up.' I don't think I did,'' Seifert said. ``I'm proud of the things we accomplished during my watch.''
Coaching changes have been rampant around the NFL. Seifert becomes the 10th coach to leave a team since the start of this season, meaning one-third of the teams have made changes.
Seifert, 57 next week, won Super Bowls in 1990 and 1995. With a record of 108-35, Seifert is the franchise's winningest coach and has a winning percentage of .755. He reached 100 victories faster than any NFL coach.
``It's time for some new blood,'' Seifert said. ``I'm not saying my blood is stagnant. But I'm saying let's just pass this on to someone else.''
Mariucci was schooled in the 49ers system while working for Green Bay coach Mike Holmgren, a former offensive coordinator for San Francisco. He was an assistant for four years with the Packers, getting much of the credit for turning quarterback Brett Favre into a two-time NFL MVP.
Mariucci, 41, has been coaching for 18 years. His Cal team began the 1996 season with a 5-0 record, but lost six of its last seven games - including a defeat by Navy in the Aloha Bowl.
The formal announcement of the coaching change came during a late afternoon news conference, but word of the change swept earlier in the day through the locker room where 49ers players had come to work out.
``It's a big surprise, a shock,'' said cornerback Tyronne Drakeford, a former Virginia Tech player. ``I don't know if it was something planned or a spur of the moment type thing.
``From what I understand, Seifert is always under pressure to win the Super Bowl. It keeps mounting each year he doesn't win it. That's part of the business. You take it as it comes.''
Certainly, Seifert's departure signals wide-ranging changes for the 49ers, whose season ended in a 35-14 playoff loss at Green Bay two weeks ago.
Defensive coordinator Pete Carroll, a candidate for the St. Louis Rams job, was passed over and the move appears to seal the fate of offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, whose departure has been rumored after players grumbled about his play calls.
``It's a cold day in January,'' said tackle Steve Wallace. ``I'm left speechless. I don't know the reason. [Seifert is] a great coach, a class person. It's a sad day for a lot of 49ers fans.''
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. 1. George Seifert's wife said: ``Don't screw it up''by CNBwhen the 49ers hired him. He cooperated by winning two Super Bowls.
2. (headshot) Mariucci. color. KEYWORDS: FOOTBALL