Offensive tackle Jeff Backus said players were not notified of the firing until a previously scheduled team meeting was held Monday night.

“Something had to give, I guess,” Backus told The Associated Press. “It’s not my job to judge whether Mariucci did a good job or bad job, but we’re in a bottom-line business and our bottom line hasn’t been very good.”

Mariucci has more than two years remaining on the $25 million contract he signed in 2003. The Michigan native came to the Lions from San Francisco, where he was fired with a 60-43 record over six seasons.

Mariucci was cut some slack in the past because the team he inherited was crafted by Millen, but expectations were high heading into his third season.

“If we win 10 or 11 ballgames and make the playoffs, it would make us happy and make the fans happy,” Mariucci said before the season.

Mariucci’s agent, Gary O’Hagan, declined comment when reached Monday night.

Detroit’s quarterback situation also hurt Mariucci’s chances for success.

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Joey Harrington, the third overall pick in 2002, has failed to be consistent throughout his career. The Lions signed 35-year-old Jeff Garcia to push or replace Harrington, but he has been nagged by injuries and an inability to throw deep passes.

The Lions’ porous offensive line has added to their passing- and running-game woes while a decent defense has been hampered by being on the field too long, and by injuries.

Millen, who was fined $200,000 by the NFL because he didn’t follow the NFL’s minority hiring policy when he hired Mariucci, said he would follow league guidelines when he searches for a permanent coach.

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Jauron, Detroit’s defensive coordinator the past two seasons, was fired in 2003 after four losing seasons in five years with the Bears. He was selected as NFL coach of the year during his lone winning season in Chicago.

“We need to take these next five weeks, and we need to play ... and see what we can get out of it,” Jauron said. “I don’t have plans other than the next game.”

Jauron began his NFL career as a fourth-round pick of the Lions in 1973 after starring at Yale. The defensive back and kick returner, who played in the 1975 Pro Bowl, spent his first five seasons in Detroit.

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