NFL Fines Lions $200G Over Coach Search

AP via Earthlink ^ | July 25,2003 | Associated Press

[John W]

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - The NFL on Friday fined Detroit Lions president Matt Millen $200,000 for failing to interview minority candidates before hiring new coach Steve Mariucci.

Mariucci was the only person interviewed for the job after Marty Mornhinweg was fired Jan. 27. Detroit has maintained that five minority candidates turned down interviews because it appeared inevitable Mariucci would be hired.

"While we respectfully disagree with the decision made by the commissioner and the league's diversity committee, we continue to enthusiastically support all initiatives which promote diversity in hiring with respect to coaching and front office positions in the NFL, and remain proud of the Lions' long-standing record of diversity within our employment ranks," team spokesman Bill Keenist said. "We will have no other comments on this issue, choosing rather to focus on the start of training camp and the 2003 football season."

[Catspaw]

Yoopers are indeed Packer fans. Isn't everyone?

If they aren't Packer fans, they should be :-))

[ActionNewsBill]

And Yoopers are Packer fans.

I'd say it's about 50/50 around these parts (Marquette).

[Tallguy]

Why would anyone want an interview when they knew that for all intents and purposes the position was filled? Millen wanted this guy, period.

[Catspaw]

I'd say it's about 50/50 around these parts (Marquette).

I do know a Bears fan from the UP. She's shunned. So are Vikings fans. We pity Lions fans. When Tampa was in the NFC Central, well, they were just laughed at.

[Sgt_Schultze]

But the "diversity plan" is only concerned with the positions of Coach, Quarterback or General Manager. Don't look for diversity anytime soon in the Runningback slot.

[L.N. Smithee]

The NFL would have been fine, I suppoe, if the Lions had paraded in a few blacks or hispanics for he cameras and show and not considered them at all. Just so long as the NFL looks "diverse." I can't think of anything more insulting to a black or hispanic coach.

Indeed, one black coach was insulted.

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Wednesday, February 5, 2003
Updated: March 25, 4:35 PM ET

Cottrell wraps up second meeting with Niners

---

Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Ted Cottrell believes the San Francisco 49ers are giving him a fair chance to be their next head coach -- and that's more than he can say about other NFL teams.

Cottrell, the New York Jets' defensive coordinator, toured the San Francisco Bay Area and the 49ers' training complex Wednesday before speaking with 49ers owner John York and dining with several members of the front office.

The visit was the second interview with the 49ers for Cottrell, a respected veteran assistant coach whose quest to run his own team has taken him to many interviews -- some of which he felt were over before they began.

"If a team talks to you, that doesn't mean it is an interview,'' Cottrell said Wednesday night in the lobby of the 49ers' training complex. "I've had seven (teams) talk to me, and four of them have been what I call legitimate interviews, and three of them have been bullcrap sessions. Excuse my language about that, but that is how I feel about it.

"Three of those teams had just talked to me, and there was no way I was a serious candidate and they had (no) thought in their mind of hiring me. I was just in there to probably fill in a time slot and make them look good. Four have been legitimate and three have been not worth a darn.''

Cottrell, who is black, is one of three current candidates for the job that has been vacant since York fired Steve Mariucci on Jan. 15. San Francisco defensive coordinator Jim Mora will get his second interview on Thursday, and Chicago defensive coordinator Greg Blache will visit the Bay Area this weekend.

The issue of minority hiring in the NFL was placed under a spotlight again this week when Detroit hired Mariucci apparently without interviewing any minority candidates. According to many reports, five minority candidates turned down interview requests with the Lions because Mariucci's hiring appeared inevitable.

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Click here for full article

[dfwgator]

Bullsh*t.

I can't begin to express how angry this makes me feel, especially as a lifelong Lion fan myself. If for no other reason I would love to see the Lions win the Super Bowl just so at the post game ceremony Ford and Mariucci can tell Tagliabue to stick that Lombardi Trophy where the sun don't shine.

[L.N. Smithee]

I do know a Bears fan from the UP.

You mean she is a fan of Chicago Bears Football, presented by BankOne.

[Dolphy]

As a resident of Michigan and Lion "fan" I consider Millen to be a joke and his bungling of the hiring process is just further proof. I could go on and on about all of the reasons but just check the Lions record with him at the helm and the quality citizen-players he's screwed while achieving that pathetic record. He is in a world that plays by rules, the NFL rule was that he interview minorities. He made no good faith effort to do that instead putting all of his cards on Mariucci, who wasn't a sure thing to come to Detroit. In this case, I am happy to see the NFL slap him.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

As a diehard, and usually dying, Saints fan, I have no connection to this matter. But if the minority coaches turned down the offer of an interview, why should the Lions be penalized? This is PC garbage.

[Jim Noble]

I have been interviewed pro forma for jobs everyone knew someone else was going to get.

Those interviews are demeaning and painful, and I don't blame anyone with an ounce of pride for not wanting to participate in a sham.

[KneelBeforeZod]

hmm I dont know what the average salary is in the NFL...

maybe they can buy out Notre Dame and get Tyrone Willingham. (4 yrs left(?) @ $1.5 million)

then again, he did nothing with stanfurd. guess it was the players that were the problem.

[GirlShortstop]

Puke             :-)

[got_moab?]

I would make sure I lined up O.J. for the first interview.

[lormand]

I'm done with the NFL for good now. They can kiss my white ass goodbye.

[steveegg]

Can you say, "$hakedown"? I knew you could.

[GirlShortstop]

I would make sure I lined up O.J. for the first interview.

Great idea, except he's busy hunting down Nicole's killer.   </sarcasm OFF>

[Lost Highway]

Whoopitydoo. The Ford family spends 200,000 every day in gas money.

[Dante3]

This is crazy!

[Dante3]

But players who rape and beat up people are welcomed with open arms. This is the league of Carruth, Ray Lewis, and Randy Moss.