Mariucci, 47, was hired as the 22nd head coach of the Detroit Lions, replacing the fired Marty Mornhinweg.
Mariucci will be formally introduced at a media conference on Wednesday.
"We are thrilled with the hiring of Steve Mariucci as our next head coach," Lions president and chief executive officer Matt Millen said. "This is a huge step for our team and organization.
Steve Mariucci, fired Jan. 15 by the Niners, has joined the Lions.(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
"I have known Steve since he got into the NFL as an assistant and he has continually impressed me with his knowledge of the game and his ability to handle players and people. He has been a winner at every level."
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Asked if Mariucci's availability weighed in the decision to fire Mornhinweg, Millen conceded: "It was a factor. But it wasn't the main factor."
Mariucci, a native of Iron Mountain, Mich., was fired by the San Francisco 49ers three days following their Jan. 12 playoff loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In six seasons with San Francisco, Mariucci posted a 57-39 regular-season record, including 10-6 this year -- good enough to capture the NFC West and a playoff berth.
The Niners rallied for a thrilling 39-38 victory over the New York Giants in the NFC wild-card round before getting trampled 31-6 by Tampa Bay in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
"He has tremendous experience in this league and brings unique qualities to our team," Millen said. "Specifically, his ability to guide the 49ers through significant roster adjustments is very impressive.
"His offensive system is one that we already have in place, which certainly is a plus for our football team in general and some of our young offensive players in particular."
Mariucci's appointment drew scathing criticism from Johnnie Cochran and Cyrus Mehri, two high-profile attorneys spearheading an effort to improve minority hiring in the NFL.
On Monday, they said in a statement: "The Lions have seriously threatened to undermine and potentially violate the new NFL minority hiring policy approved by team owners in December. Prior to conducting a single interview, general manager Matt Millen essentially crowned Steve Mariucci as the Lions new head coach.
"He might well have put up a sign at Lions headquarters reading, 'Head Coaching Vacancy: Minorities Need Not Apply.'"
Yet Lions defensive end Robert Porcher, an Afro-American, wholeheartedly endorsed Mariucci's hiring.
"I think it'll be good," Porcher said. "Good for him because he will be in a situation where he's actually wanted and appreciated.
"I think it'll be good from a team standpoint because now our general manager gets the guy that he's always wanted. And I think from the players' standpoint, it'll be excellent because he brings in that instant credibility with his winning record in San Francisco."
Under Mornhinweg, the Lions went 5-27 for a measley .156 winning percentage -- the worst two years in franchise history.
Moreover, they went 0-16 on the road, yet another franchise low.
Last season, the Lions lost their final eight games to finish 3-13.
Only the laughable Cincinnati Bengals (2-14) fared worse.
It should be noted Detroit won just one playoff game since its last NFL title in 1957.
with files from Sports Network
