August 31, 1997
On this day in The Bay, Steve Mariucci's NFL head coaching career started against Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In the 1997 season opener, quarterback Steve Young was sidelined with a concussion and receiver Jerry Rice tore his ACL as the Buccaneers upset the 49ers 13-6. Nevertheless, Mariucci rallied his team to a 13-3 regular season record and a berth in the 1997 NFC Championship Game. In six seasons at the helm in San Francisco, Mariucci compiled a 57-39 record.
