KMAX: Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Steve Mariucci spoke nonstop about his new team and its troubles, barely taking a breath for about 10 minutes.

``It was a hard-hitting game on both sides. ... We've got to find ways to take better care of the football. ... The bye comes at a good time. We've got some nicks.''

Then, finally, Detroit's coach was forced to reflect on how it felt to be back in San Francisco for the first time since the 49ers fired him in January. Dressed in a royal blue Lions polo shirt and black slacks, the exuberant Mariucci showed little sadness if he indeed was experiencing any.

Mariucci was swarmed on the field by several former players anxious to greet him after the Lions' 24-17 loss, their 19th straight road defeat.

``They are doing a heck of a job,'' said Mariucci, who's back home in Michigan after six tumultuous seasons with the Niners. ``It was good to see them. It was little different to be on the other side of the field. ... Right away I said to my team last week that the main thing is the football game. Everything else we tried to minimize as much as we could.''

Everyone seemed happy when this day was over. ``Mooch'' got his hugs and a friendly reunion, but was ready to start getting his 1-4 Lions back on track during their bye week before hosting the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 19.

Mariucci paced the sidelines, his pants flapping in the wind known to haunt Candlestick Park ``It swirled,'' he said.

Before the game, 49ers running backs Garrison Hearst and Fred Beasley posed for a photo with Mariucci and Tom Rathman, the Lions' running backs coach who followed Mariucci to Detroit. Late in the second half, Hearst and Beasley both clowned with their former coaches after being tackled near the Detroit sideline.

``As a team, you want to win it for the coaches,'' Detroit running back Olandis Gary said. ``They have a history here. But we're 1-4 right now. We need victories. We don't need moral victories.''

The 49ers were dealing with their own problems before this game bickering between Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia and All-Pro receiver Terrell Owens. So, San Francisco (2-3) tried to keep Mariucci's return from becoming a distraction.

``It's always great to see Coach Mooch,'' Garcia said. ``I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. I love him as a coach and a friend, and it was a lot of fun to see him again. Without a doubt, he knows our system and what we're trying to do. Many of their coaches know our strengths, and they exploited that.''

Niners Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich refused to read the papers or watch television last week.

``We were worried about our own shop,'' said Ulbrich, who sustained a concussion in the game. ``That was our theme all week.''

Both teams are ready to move on.

``It's done,'' Lions right guard Ray Brown said. ``A lot of that stuff gets in the way.''

Mariucci has made quite an impression on Brown, who also played for Mariucci during six years with the 49ers.

``I think our work ethic and how we practice (has changed),'' Brown said. ``We're kind of snappy like 'Let's get in and work.' Get rid of all the bells and whistles. That's what he's selling. We're not lackadaisical. There are expectations we can do it. That's his positive attitude and his desire to get the most out of this football team.''