By Greg Beacham
The Associated Press

HONOLULU - Jeff Garcia thinks the San Francisco 49ers' offense is in good hands, so he'd prefer a new head coach who can mold the defense.

While preparing for his third straight Pro Bowl appearance, the 49ers' quarterback acknowledged Wednesday that he still doesn't understand owner John York's decision to fire Steve Mariucci two weeks ago.

But Garcia would like to see the 49ers' vacancy filled by a defensive coach - perhaps Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who's expected to interview for the job as early as Friday.

"I think defense should be the emphasis," Garcia said. "I really believe our offense is great. We've got some outstanding players and some great tradition. We have a lot of good young talent on defense, and I think a defense-minded coach who could get us to the level of a top-five or a top-10 defense would be really great for this team."

None of the six members of the 49ers in Hawaii this week for Sunday's game has been consulted by ownership or management about the coaching search. But judging by the list of candidates compiled by general manager Terry Donahue for York's perusal, the 49ers appear determined to hire a coach with extensive defensive experience.

"If they're looking at the defense as something that can improve, then I'm all for it," said defensive tackle Bryant Young, a four-time Pro Bowler. "A defensive coach could be great. We have good defensive coaches now, but if somebody came in and gave the defense a jump-start, that could help the whole team."

Donahue interviewed San Francisco defensive coordinator Jim Mora and New England defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel last week, and he finished up an interview with New York Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell on Wednesday. Donahue also talked to Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, who instead signed a new deal with the Eagles.

Donahue hopes to interview Kiffin on Friday or Saturday, though no time or date has been set yet. If the 62-year-old Kiffin can be persuaded to leave a comfortable situation with the Super Bowl champions, the creator of the NFL's toughest defense last season is widely thought to be the top candidate for the job.

"That's the way the NFL seems to be going these days, and maybe that's the way we need to go," Garcia said. "Look at Tampa Bay and Baltimore. Great defenses give you a better chance to win championships."

San Francisco went 10-6 last season and lost to eventual Tampa Bay in the NFC semifinals. Three days later, York fired Mariucci, citing everything from Mariucci's flirtations with other jobs to overall team chemistry.

Though his team played inconsistently on both offense and defense all season, York never blamed the team's on-field performance for Mariucci's firing - and Garcia thinks he knows the real culprit.

"It's the controversies that the media create between management and the coaching staff within our organization," Garcia said. "I believed everything was fine. I believed we were moving forward, and things were only going to get better. To disrupt all that by firing the coach really came as a surprise in a lot of ways."

Garcia, who has criticized the Bay area media before, got involved in a minor controversy last week by suggesting Mariucci had been undermined by consultant Bill Walsh, the Niners' venerated former coach and general manager. Garcia has since praised Walsh's role with the team.

All-Pro receiver Terrell Owens' repeated clashes with Mariucci nearly split the team apart in 2001, but they resolved their differences before last season. If Owens has any strong opinions on the 49ers' coaching search, he's not sharing them.

"I have no idea what direction they're going in," said Owens, who could be a free agent after next season. "I'm just enjoying my time at the Pro Bowl, and we'll worry about that later on down the road."

Return to Bengals front page...