Steve Mariucci's schedule figures to be hectic for the next several months, but at least the Detroit Lions' new head coach has put a small dent in the first item on his lengthy "to do" list.

Mariucci on Thursday hired three assistant coaches from the staff he oversaw while coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Primary among the hirings is Richard Smith, who will serve as Detroit's assistant head coach and tutor the Lions' linebackers. Smith, 47, was linebackers coach in San Francisco for six seasons, coming to the 49ers in Mariucci's first season with the team (1997).

Smith is a 15-year NFL veteran, having also worked for the Houston Oilers (1988-92) and Denver Broncos (1993-96).

Mariucci also hired Andy Sugarman and Kevin Lartigue on Thursday.

Sugarman was an offensive assistant in San Francisco and will fill the same role in Detroit, with emphasis on quality control. Lartigue previously was an equipment manager for the 49ers and will now assume the position of administrative assistant.

"Three very solid people," Mariucci said.

Filling out his staff is a high priority for Mariucci. He has begun meeting with holdovers from predecessor Marty Mornhinweg's staff, all of them retained so far by Lions president Matt Millen. It remains to be seen who will be retained under Mariucci.

There are doubtless some coaches still in San Francisco that Mariucci would like to entice to Detroit, but they are under contract to the 49ers and likely to stay with the team when San Francisco hires a new head coach. Sources said Mariucci actually delayed his agreement with the Lions through last weekend so that he could contact potential assistants.

Because he was unemployed at the time, Mariucci could phone coaches on his wish list without the threat of league tampering charges.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.