NFL Network Should Recuse Steve Mariucci On Favre

The NFL Network, the official  television voice of the NFL, employs former San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions coach Steve Mariucci as an analyst.

Mariucci’s rather soft-spoken, even-keeled approach contrasts sharply with some of his more bombastic, over-the-top colleagues. He does a decent job and brings years of coaching experience which can balance the perspective of his former NFL player colleagues.

But one wonders if Mariucci and/or the NFL Network should recuse him from analysis of the Brett Favre situation. Sports reporters who work for “traditional” media sources, such as major television networks and major newspapers, frequently claim the need for gatekeepers--i.e. editors who not only review and edit the content of news stories and columns, but also establish certain controls to prevent ethical or perceived ethical conflicts.

One of the complaints Brett Favre recently tossed out against Packer management is the failure of the organization to at least interview, if not hire, Mariucci as head coach after Packer GM Ted Thompson fired Mike Sherman in 2006.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell holds the keys to many franchise’s futures by his control of when Favre will be reinstated from Favre’s announced retirement in March. Goodell has withheld the reinstatement so Favre and the Packers can continue to negotiate. Favre wants to play for the Packers or some other team, with the strongest suitor the Packer’s current arch-rival, the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers don’t want Favre to return as a player but have offered him a reported $25 million over ten years in a marketing/consultant role.

The problem with Mariucci, an acknowledged friend of Favre and his family, continuing to provide NFL Network analysis on the Favre situation is Favre’s consternation, or even anger, with the Packer organization regarding the non-hiring of Mariucci.  Mariucci has frequently stated he believes Favre still has all the tools to lead a team to the SB.

What if the Minnesota Vikings signed Favre to a two-year contract, Favre performed well or spectacularly in his first season, but other aspects of the team led to a so-so season? What if that so-so season led fans to opine for a different coach, Mariucci was available, and Favre lobbied for the firing of current Viking head coach Brad Childress and the hiring of Mariucci?

How far would the consipiracy theories stretch if Favre lobbied for Mariucci as new coach after Mariucci had repeatedly, in his job as a voice of the NFL Network, prounouced Favre a stud QB and ready to lead a team to the SB?

Professional sports is a small world and often leads to almost unavoidable friendships among players, coaches, front-office and media types. However, when a player such as Favre publicly states his preference to have been coached by Mariucci, the best course fo all involved is to forgo analysis by Mariucci on the Favre situation. The NFL Network does not lack other analysts who could substitute.

There remains a problem in sports reporting when “traditional” media types criticize Internet reporters and bloggers as lacking gatekeepers and editorial control but aren’t concerned about the lack of editorial or ethical control of the parent network of the huge NFL business conglomerate. Print media (and I mean both newspaper and Internet print stories) still continue to be held to a higher standard than television and radio media.

Print columnists, of course, have long been absolved of news reporter standards because columnists’ job is to sling the hash, onions and all.

Many television analysts are former coaches or players and friends with many others in sports and frequently comment on former players, coaches and friends. But the Mariucci/Favre situation is more highly charged because of Favre's specific mention of Mariucci as his preferred coach, Mariucci's continued and stated belief Favre could quarterback a team to a Superbowl, and the NFL's involvement in the Favre reinstatement issue.

Until the current Favre situation is resolved, it may be beneficial to viewers, NFL players and management, and all others involved, if Mariucci restrains from comments on Favre.


As a disclaimer, I, as a Packer fan, advocated Mariucci’s hiring as Packer coach after Mike Holmgren left and then again before current head coach Mike McCarthy was hired. I believe McCarthy has done a very good job.

The following is a brief recap of Mariucci’s coaching career, gleaned from Wikipedia and my own knowledge:

Mariucci, or “Mooch”, is well-known and well-liked by many, many Packer fans. As a “Yooper”*, a native of the Northern part of the state of Michigan known as the Upper Pennisula, most of which lies just north of the state of Wisconsin, Mariucci grew up in a family of Packer fans. Starting in 1992, the same year Brett Favre began his career as the Packer’s starting QB, Mariucci served four years as the Packer QB coach and established a close friendship with Favre.

After coaching the California Golden Bears (6-6 record and a bowl game), Mariucci was hired by the San Francisco 49ers, getting the Niners to the playoffs four times in six years but was fired following the 2002 season. He was hired by the Detroit Lions in 2003 and fired in mid-season in 2005, after compiling a 15-28 record.

Mariucci often works as an analyst on NFL Total Acess, the NFL Network’s self-described “daily news program.”

*Yooper is sometimes spelled UP’er, which stands for Upper Pennisula native or resident.