LIGHTNING ROD

Marinelli in command, promises to whip troops into shape

Lynn Henning / The Detroit News

ALLEN PARK -- They have come and gone for so many decades, at such a regular pace, it's more concise to focus on men from the past 30 years who failed to bring Detroit the football glory it has found so frustratingly elusive:

Tommy Hudspeth, Monte Clark, Darryl Rogers, Wayne Fontes, Marty Mornhinweg, Steve Mariucci.

On Thursday, the Lions insisted they got it right. They went tough. They went to the trenches. They hired a 56-year-old firebrand, Rod Marinelli, as the 24th head coach in the franchise's long and, so often, painful history.

Lions president Matt Millen, who might have taken more hits in recent weeks than his running backs absorbed all season, introduced Marinelli at a morning news conference that made clear why a respected defensive line coach and intense Vietnam veteran is now running Detroit's NFL team, and why he owns a four-year contract.

"The most important thing is we knew what we were looking for," Millen said, dismissing notions Marinelli would be risky because of no previous head-coaching experience. "To me, it comes down to a few things: It comes down to leadership, and it comes down to passion.

"I made the hire knowing this guy can make us better. All I want is for my team to be coached properly."

Marinelli's military background -- he served one year in Vietnam as an Army infantryman in 1969 -- flowed even as he spoke his first words as Lions coach Thursday:

"Morning, men," he said, ignoring the fact women also were present.

"I believe it starts up front," Marinelli continued, getting to the crux of his coaching philosophy that emphasizes structural strength in the offensive and defensive lines.

"I understand how to build I want to have a great offensive line -- physical. I want to have a great defensive line. A team will last 16 weeks (the length of the regular season) when you build up front."

Because of his résumé and personal makeup, Marinelli looms as a DNA prescription for a sloppy and splintered Lions team that finished 5-11 in 2005 and saw yet another head coach, Mariucci, fired in November.

Marinelli has spent the previous 10 years at Tampa Bay crafting his reputation as one of the NFL's premier defensive line coaches. He was so valued by head coach Jon Gruden that the Buccaneers gave him the title of assistant head coach to keep raiding teams from hiring him away as a defensive coordinator.

But his contract had expired and the Lions had an upgrade in mind when Millen began the first of "several conversations" with Marinelli earlier this winter. The talks led to his hiring Wednesday, after he met with owner William Clay Ford, and after Millen had decided Marinelli was his choice over two other candidates Millen seriously considered: Pittsburgh Steelers assistant Russ Grimm and former New Orleans Saints head coach Jim Haslett.

Just what he will do differently from previous Lions coaches is the question, one Marinelli sought to answer during a zesty hourlong news conference at Lions headquarters.

He spoke of "untalented issues" -- dedication to work, being proper with fundamentals and finishing plays -- which, in Marinelli's world, are football values that require more spirit than skill.

One difference from Mariucci, who wasn't keen on heavy-hitting practices, will be felt by Lions players instantly when training camp convenes in July.

"I believe in pad practices," said Marinelli, whose philosophy meshes with Millen's. "I want a team that's in great physical condition. I want a team that's hard, physical and will finish.

"We are going to be a team that plays extremely hard and smart."

Millen said later, with a wry smile: "I believe in pads, too. We're similar there."

Marinelli will relish heading a Lions team that has as its strength two Pro Bowl-caliber defensive tackles in Shaun Rogers and Dan Wilkinson. He will be enthusiastic about defensive end Cory Redding's big-play potential.

His challenge in retooling an offensive line, which is generally acknowledged as one of the NFL's least able groups, is likely to be a stiffer assignment.

"I know we've got to go to work on offense," Marinelli said, insisting the Lions aren't without talent up front.

"They're all (offensive linemen) pretty equal throughout the league."

He made no deep or detailed observations about the Lions' hot-button position: quarterback. Nor did he give any hint as to a role for the tentative incumbent, Joey Harrington, whose future in Detroit is anything but certain.

"What I do see is talent," Marinelli said. "Great arm, good feet, talent and awareness. I'd like to sit down and visit with him."

Marinelli got a chance to X-ray the Lions last season when they played at Tampa Bay, a game the Lions nearly won against the playoff-bound Bucs.

"You look at 'em in our game at Tampa, and I was impressed," he said. "I see a team that's got good players."

Marinelli offered no grand plans for an offensive scheme, saying he will craft that part of the blueprint after he has hired an offensive coordinator and filled out his coaching staff. His base defense will almost certainly maintain a four-man front, no matter who arrives as coordinator.

Marinelli has worked for, or with, some of footballs biggest coaching names -- Tony Dungy, John Robinson, Gruden, Lovie Smith, Monte Kiffin -- and he made a gallant effort Thursday to salute all his coaches, from high school to the NFL, whose influences are likely to be on display at Allen Park and Ford Field.

Millen acknowledged the same, saying that in Marinelli's words, "I hear Bo Schembechler, Joe Paterno, John Madden. What comes out is, 'I know how to win football games.' "

Millen and Lions fans can only hope so. Five years after Millen was hired to transform the NFL in Detroit, the Lions' record is 21-59. If it was all a dress rehearsal for the day Marinelli arrived, Millen is only too happy the curtain is about to rise.

You can reach Lynn Henning at 313-222-2472 or at lynn.henning@detnews.com.