Add Mariucci to list of Redskins coaching candidates

By JOSEPH WHITE, AP Sports Writer

Published: January 31, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) - It’s time to move Steve Mariucci from “maybe” to “definite” on the list of Washington Redskins coaching candidates.
    The former San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions coach will interview with owner Dan Snyder about the Redskins vacancy, a person familiar with the selection process told The Associated Press on Thursday.
    The interview will take place in Arizona before the Super Bowl on Sunday, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Redskins have not publicly released the names of any candidates.
    Mariucci has been cagey about his interest in the Redskins all week, regularly issuing non-denials when the subject was raised by colleagues on the air during his current job as an analyst for the NFL Network.
    Mariucci’s contract with the network expires after the Super Bowl.
    Mariucci was 75-71, including 3-4 in the playoffs, over nine seasons in San Francisco and Detroit. He won two division titles with the 49ers and took them to the postseason four times in six years. He was far less successful with the Lions, going 15-28 before he was fired late in the 2005 season.
    Mariucci joins former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel and Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks as leading contenders to succeed Joe Gibbs, who resigned Jan. 8. Snyder is also interested in interviewing Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels after the Super Bowl.