NMU to retire Mariucci’s football jersey Oct. 11 | News, Sports, Jobs

In recognition of Steve Mariucci’s achievements, Northern Michigan University will retire his No. 18 jersey on Oct. 11 during a celebration of NMU’s 1975 national championship football team.
(Northern Michigan University photo)

Northern Michigan University will retire Steve Mariucci’s iconic No. 18 Wildcat football jersey on Saturday, Oct. 11, as part of NMU’s 50th anniversary celebration of the Wildcats’ 1975 national championship.

The news was first revealed in a surprise video message from Mariucci’s lifelong friend, Hall of Fame basketball coach and fellow NMU and Iron Mountain High School alum Tom Izzo. The message aired on NFL Network’s “GameDay Morning” on Sunday.

Mariucci’s jersey will be officially raised to the rafters of the Superior Dome on Oct. 11.

“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,” said NMU Interim President Gavin Leach. “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.”

Mariucci, a standout quarterback for Northern Michigan from 1974-77, left an indelible mark on the program and on college football. He earned Associated Press Third Team All-America honors in 1976 and followed with an Honorable Mention All-America nod in 1977.

As a redshirt sophomore in 1975, Mariucci orchestrated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football history. After a winless 1974 campaign, he led the Wildcats to a National Championship title. That season, he passed for 1,624 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding 232 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. His leadership powered an offense that shattered program records for total offense (3,874 yards) and passing yards (1,792), earning him team MVP honors.

In 1976, Mariucci elevated his game even further, throwing for 2,304 yards and 14 touchdowns. He finished the year ranked fifth nationally in total offense, while the Wildcats boasted the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation at 43.0 points per game. For the second straight year, he was recognized as team MVP.

Mariucci capped his career in 1977 with 1,608 passing yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior, leading the nation in total offense at 222.5 yards per game. His exceptional play secured him a third consecutive team MVP award, cementing his legacy as one of the program’s all-time greats.

Nearly half a century later, Mariucci’s storybook career still resonates in Northern Michigan’s record books. He remains the Wildcats’ all-time leader in career total offense (7,523 yards) and touchdown passes (47).

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

After graduating, Mariucci began his coaching career at NMU in 1978 before moving on to assistant roles at Cal State Fullerton, Louisville, USC, the Los Angeles Rams, and the University of California, Berkeley.

Mariucci became the quarterbacks coach for the Green Bay Packers in 1992 under new head coach Mike Holmgren. After four years with the Packers, he returned to Cal as head coach in 1996, leading the Golden Bears to a bowl appearance. Just a year later, he made the leap to the NFL as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, guiding the team to four playoff berths and an NFC West title over six seasons (1997-2002).

He returned to his home state in 2003 to coach the Detroit Lions, and after his time on the sidelines concluded in 2005, he transitioned to broadcasting. Since 2006, Mariucci has been a fixture on NFL Network, where his insight, energy, and passion for the game have made him one of football’s most recognizable voices.

“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,” said NMU Athletic Director Rick Comley.

For more on the 50th anniversary celebration go to https://news.nmu.edu/nmu-celebrate-50th-anniversary-ncaa-football.