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Overpaying for a coach- Lions Marucci contract


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Updated: Nov. 25, 2005, 3:13 PM ET

Mariucci's future uncertain after bad loss to FalconsESPN.com news services

Steve Mariucci remains the Detroit Lions' coach.

While Detroit media reported that the team might fire Mariucci the day after a 27-7 home loss to Atlanta on national television, a decision is not likely Friday, ESPN's John Clayton reported.

Team sources told Clayton that the Ford family, which owns the team, is in Florida. Players were in for an hour for routine film review, then were released until Monday.

One source close to the Lions situation told ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli that the mood in the team offices on Friday morning was "absolutely business as usual," and another source insisted Mariucci's dismissal was "not imminent."

Mariucci and team president Matt Millen met, but not in an official situation, merely a regular day-after-game meeting.

"Nothing's happening today. Reports of a power confab are unfounded," a team public relations representative said.

Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron, who posted a 45-46 record as head coach of the Chicago Bears 1999-2003 and who would be the most likely candidate to take over as an interim head coach, has not been asked to do so. There is some question as to whether Jauron, who is very close to Mariucci, would even consider the interim position.

WJBK-TV in Detroit reported late Thursday that the Lions were in discussions that could lead to the firing of Mariucci as early as Friday. After two and a half disappointing years with Mariucci at the helm, the loss to the Falcons on Thanksgiving may have been the final straw.

"I don't know what's going to happen or anything like that, but nobody's stupid in here," offensive lineman Damien Woody told the Detroit Free Press. "People know that, hey, things didn't go right. It was a pretty bad loss on national television. We'll see what happens."

The Lions are 15-28 since 2003 under Mariucci, including a 4-7 record this year, a year that began with high hopes in the organization. Thursday's loss dropped Detroit 3

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