Lions fire Steve Mariucci

From NFL.com: The Detroit Lions fired coach Steve Mariucci and promoted defensive coordinator Dick Jauron to succeed him on an interim basis.

Mariucci's record with the Lions was 15-28, including 4-7 this year. His 2003 hiring was hailed by fans and media alike, but he was not able to turn around a team that has won one playoff game since 1957.

Can someone explain this to me? Yes, I agree there were higher expectations for the Lions this season. I picked them to win the North -- then again, you could pick this division with a dart board. And, really, I picked them first in the division with an 8-8 record, tied with Minnesota and Green Bay. It's not like any of them are good teams.

Things unraveled quickly when Jeff Garcia broke his leg on Sept. 2. And it's not like they've had an easy road. Of their seven losses, six have come to Chicago (twice), Tampa Bay, Carolina, Dallas and Atlanta -- teams with a combined 37-18 (.673) record.

OK, so they're in a terrible division, and I predicted an 8-8 finish, meaning "they're not really that good." They've also had a really tough schedule to this point, and they're 4-7 -- basically a game away from being "nearly .500", just about where they should be. Now look at their alleged "talent." There isn't much to brag about. A smattering here and there. Basically enough to be competitive in the NFC North.

Hmmm ... Let's see. Who would be responsible for that?

Oh, right. Matt Millen. Possibly the worst general manager in football. (Well, he's "team president," but he's the GM for all intent and purpose.) Millen did nothing to help Mariucci or his predecessor. I don't know how he convinces the owners that it's all the coaches' fault.

Let's take a quick look at recent Lions history.

Wayne Fontes had one of the oddest head-coaching tenures anywhere ever. He lasted more than eight seasons, finishing 67-71, after always having horrible starts and barely making the playoffs. Bobby Ross, undeniably a good coach, took over in 1997 and lasted about 3 1/2 years, compiling a 27-32 record. He was replaced by Gary Moeller, who finished the 2000 season, leaving with a 4-3 record.

Enter Matt Millen. He hires Marty Mornhinweg, possibly one of the worst head-coaching hires I've ever seen (besides Dave Wannestadt). Mornhinweg, "Millen's Boy", finished 5-27 in two seasons. Millen and Mornhinweg just about ruined Detroit. After that disaster, Millen turned to Mariucci to right the ship. Mariucci was 15-28 (11-21 over his first two seasons), definitely an improvement, when he's fired.

Joey Harrington is a bust, and was before Mariucci got there. Garcia broke his leg. Hardly Mariucci's fault.

If you can point to anything over the last two-plus years the front office has done to give Mariucci a chance, I'll eat my pants.

I'm sure it's too late to bring back Mariucci. Don't expect Dick Jauron to last too long. I can't imagine what the Lions do for coaches from here, but I do have one suggestion.

FIRE MATT MILLEN! (for crying out loud)