UP Gazette

Northern Michigan University has announced it will retire Steve Mariucci’s No. 18 football jersey, recognizing his achievements as both a player and coach. The announcement was made through a video message from Hall of Fame basketball coach Tom Izzo, who is also an NMU alumnus, during NFL Network's GameDay Morning on September 14.

The official ceremony will take place at the Superior Dome on October 11 as part of NMU's 50th Anniversary Celebration for the Wildcats’ 1975 National Championship team. More details about the celebration weekend are available on the university’s website.

Interim President Gavin Leach commented, "We are pleased to bestow this honor on Steve Mariucci, who has always stood proud as an alumnus of Northern Michigan University and Wildcat Football, and of course, of his Upper Peninsula hometown roots. Steve has worked incredibly hard to be successful at every level of football -- quarterbacking NMU's 1975 National Championship team, his coaching career in the collegiate and NFL ranks, and his current position as an NFL Network commentator -- all of which makes this recognition so deserving."

Athletic Director Rick Comley added, "We're proud to welcome Steve back home. His accomplishments on and off the field are a tremendous source of pride for Northern Michigan, and we couldn't be more excited to celebrate him in this way."

Head Coach Shane Richardson stated, "Coach Mariucci has been an iconic symbol of Wildcat Football. As a player that helped lead our program to a National Championship, to his own career in coaching that climbed to the top of the NFL, and his lifelong involvement & support for NMU has been nothing short of remarkable. His small-town roots resonates with many people connected to NMU today, and he has set an example that has paved the way for many others to achieve success. We are proud of this recognition and it is well-deserved."

Mariucci played quarterback for Northern Michigan from 1974–77. In 1975, after a winless season the year before, he led the Wildcats to a national title by passing for over 1,600 yards and accounting for 15 total touchdowns. He earned Associated Press Third Team All-America honors in 1976 and was named team MVP three consecutive years.

By the end of his college career in 1977, Mariucci had set records that still stand at NMU: he remains first in career total offense with over 7,500 yards and holds the record for touchdown passes with 47.

After graduating from NMU in 1978—where he later started his coaching career—Mariucci held various assistant roles at several universities before becoming head coach at California in 1996. He then coached in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers from 1997–2002—leading them to four playoff appearances—and later returned to Michigan as head coach of the Detroit Lions until 2005. Since then he has served as an analyst on NFL Network.

Mariucci was inducted into the Northern Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.