Steve Mariucci, who is one of the top talents in the NFL today, joined the Detroit Lions as the team's new head coach in 2003.

Mariucci is coming off of six successful seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, who let him go at the end of last season after contract disputes. Before joining the 49ers, he coached the University of California’s Golden Bears for one season, leading his young Cal team to a 6-5 regular season record and a trip to the Aloha Bowl. Having adopted a team that was coming off of consecutive losing seasons, his presence was immediately felt as he carried a 5-0 start and a No. 19 ranking at mid-season. His implementation of the West Coast offense helped the Bears average 457.6 yards per game, including a school record of 321.5 yards through the air. Also under Mariucci's guidance was Kansas City's 1997 fourth-round pick, Pat Barnes, who set eight Pac-10 records and 30 Cal records.

Prior to joining the Cal staff, Mariucci was the quarterback coach for the Green Bay Packers from 1992-1995, tutoring the likes of two-time MVP Brett Favre, Mark Brunell, and Ty Detmer.

During his college days, Mariucci had a spectacular playing career at Northern Michigan. As a sophomore in 1975, the Wildcats' two-time All-American quarterback led his team to the Division II national championship. He was voted the team MVP for three consecutive seasons, establishing 14 school passing records prior to his graduation in 1977

Steve began his coaching career at his alma mater (1978-79), serving as the quarterbacks and running backs coach, then moved to Cal State Fullerton as the quarterbacks and special teams coordinator (1980-82). For the next two seasons, Mariucci was the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Louisville (1983-84) before accepting his first pro position in 1985 with the USFL's Orlando Renegades as receivers coach. Later that fall, he had a brief stint at the Los Angeles Rams as quality control coach, and then transferred to the University of Southern California in 1986 to accept the receivers/special teams coordinator post.

After a year at USC, Mariucci spent the next five years at Cal as the team's wide receivers and special teams coach (1987-89), then as offensive coordinator (1990-1991). In 1991, his offense led the Bears to a 10-2 record and a No. 7 national ranking. Mariucci joined the Green Bay Packers in 1992 and spent four seasons as quarterbacks coach under Mike Holmgren. Green Bay’s Brett Favre considered Mariucci his mentor and maintains a close relationship with him to this day.

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