Detroit is where NFL coaching careers go to die -- Bobby Ross, Wayne Fontes, Gary Moeller, Marty Mornhinweg. So the question is: Did the Lions finally get it right by hiring Steve Mariucci?

All indications are yes.

There was nothing wrong with the Lions' selection process. Of all the available candidates, Mariucci was the best choice.

At $5 mil per year, the Detroit Lions paid a price to get the right man. But like the Redskins, Cowboys and Buccaneers, they not only paid for a coach, they paid for an attitude, an identity and an image. Something the Lions have lacked since Barry Sanders. Something they hope to find in Michigan native Mariucci.

Attorney Johnny Cochran is looking at the hiring practices of NFL teams and where minorities fit in. But there was nothing wrong with the Lions' selection process. Of all the available candidates, Mariucci was the best choice. It certainly was not a coincidence or an epiphany when Lions GM Matt Millen decided that Mornhinweg was no longer his guy once Mariucci became available.

Although Millen attempted his best poker face, he had wanted Mariucci since he first took the job. And Mornhinweg had already surprisingly surpassed his stay of execution after another dismal season, his second in Detroit.

You can point an accusatory finger in a lot of directions, but not at the Lions. In Jacksonville, Jack Del Rio leapfrogged more experienced coaches to get the Jaguars' head-coaching job. That could be a situation where minorities didn't get a fair shake. And that still may be the case in San Francisco. Two of the final three candidates are minorities. But there's still time for a wild card from the college ranks to emerge.

	Mariucci

Dallas or Jacksonville could be in the playoffs next year. And whoever takes over the Niners will inherit a playoff team. But Mariucci will earn his paycheck next year because he's taking over a team that isn't ready for the playoffs any time soon.

The Lions have a nucleus, though, with franchise quarterback Joey Harrington and linebacker Chris Claiborne, who they must keep in the house. They still have defensive end Robert Porcher. It's a work-in-progress in terms of marquee players, but now Detroit has a marquee coach -- and that could be enough to ease this team along for the next couple of years.

Though a playoff win has eluded the Lions since 1957, they did do something right in getting Mariucci. That may be one of their few wins this year.