SAN FRANCISCO -- Dennis Erickson's big plans for the San Francisco 49ers are mostly small adjustments to the franchise's successful formula.

Cottrell's agent vents

Ted Cottrell's agent has some questions about the 49ers' hiring process. Speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle, Joe Linta wondered why the Niners were secretive about certain things. Cottrell was a finalist for the 49ers' head coaching job, but lost out to Dennis Erickson, who appeared to be a covert candidate in the eyes of some. "Was it a dog-and-pony show? Yes," Linta told The Chronicle. "But did it give (my client) some visibility? Yes. ... But if they're parading these guys out there just to give them exposure where they wouldn't have had it before, then why not just say that? "If they're not truly being considered, but (the 49ers) want to make it known that they are strong candidates, just come out and say it," Linta continued. "Because if they did that with them, why did they keep the other guys a secret? Why lie about (Dennis) Erickson? Why lie about (Rick) Neuheisel? Why have Neuheisel lie? Why pile lie on top of lie and misstatement on top of misstatement?" -- ESPN.com news services

Erickson was introduced Wednesday as the 49ers' 14th head coach. He replaces Steve Mariucci, who was fired by owner John York on Jan. 15 -- and he plans to add one element to the 49ers that consistently was thought to be lacking during Mariucci's tenure.

"I think it all comes down to aggressiveness,'' Erickson said. "I want us to be aggressive on offense and on defense. I want to throw the ball down the field. I want us to hit hard, tackle hard, block hard. That mental aspect is the most important thing I can pursue.''

The 49ers hired Erickson on Tuesday after their lengthy coaching search culminated in two intense interviews during the final four days. Erickson met with York and general manager Terry Donahue at the team's training complex in Santa Clara on Saturday, then hammered out contract details in Portland, Ore., on Monday.

York and Donahue firmly believe Erickson can improve on his 31-33 record with the Seattle Seahawks from 1995-98. Though the 49ers retained several assistant coaches, kept their venerated West Coast offense in place and gave Erickson no say in personnel matters, the team's bosses insist Erickson will have the leeway to build the 49ers in his image.

"I would be very disappointed if he didn't approach this team with a sense of independence and freedom to do what he wants to do,'' Donahue said. "This is his team to coach, and we're just here to work together with him.''

York, who skipped the news conference to announce Mariucci's firing, is pleased with the choice. After years of organizational infighting with Mariucci, York has cleared out every major football-related component of the 49ers hired by Eddie DeBartolo, the 49ers' former owner and York's brother-in-law.

"I think Dennis is going to have a better relationship with the organization (than Mariucci did), and I think he's going to be more aggressive in his offensive approach,'' York said. "Dennis wants to be here, and he wants to win.''

Erickson has known Donahue since 1982, but his best memory of their relationship was a 1988 game in which Erickson's last Washington State team beat Donahue's No. 1-ranked UCLA squad. Months later, Erickson was hired by the University of Miami, where he won two national titles.

"I really appreciated that day, thank you,'' Erickson said to Donahue with a grin. "Made my career.''

True to York's desire in a strictly regimented organizational plan, Erickson has no interest in being involved in player personnel decisions. Donahue and his front office staff will conduct the draft and all free-agent signings.

"I don't want the power to make every decision personnel-wise,'' Erickson said. "I want to coach football. That's what I was hired to do.''

The players apparently approve of the choice, as well. On his flight from Portland to San Francisco on Tuesday night, Erickson was surprised in the first-class cabin by All-Pro receiver Terrell Owens. They had an amiable chat -- a good first sign between the coach and his most talented player, who will be a free agent after next season.

"I think he was definitely the right person for this job,'' said Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia, who earlier criticized the 49ers' long search as embarrassing. "I look forward to working with him. We finally have a coach in the fold, and I think it's somebody who definitely deserves to be here.''

Erickson also got the approval of Walsh, the former coach and general manager who's a top consultant to Donahue and York. Walsh tried to stay out of the hiring process after he was widely rumored as a driving force behind Mariucci's departure.

"I don't think they're that much different,'' Walsh said of his West Coast offense and Erickson's offense. "I just think he'll emphasize a part of our offense that we haven't emphasized much recently. I think he'll throw the ball down the field.

"His track record is as good as anybody out there. It's impeccable. Dennis is the guy that can get this offense turned around. Last year, the ball just wasn't getting released to our receivers downfield.

"It wasn't for me to coach it, or to complain and try to change it. Our coaching staff was doing the same things it always did, but it just wasn't happening. Our downfield game was nonexistent. I think he can shake things up and get us going again.''