MORNHINWEG HAS SUPER HOPES FOR DETROIT LIONS

* Former Southeast Missouri State coach thinks he can get Detroit to the top.

PONTIAC, Mich. -- Marty Mornhinweg officially became coach of the Detroit Lions on Thursday and immediately set his sights on the Super Bowl.

"I'm excited about this opportunity," Mornhinweg said at a news conference. "The bar is high. The goal for this organization is to win Super Bowls."

The Lions have never played in a Super Bowl, but new president Matt Millen believes Mornhinweg -- who formerly coached two years at Southeast Missouri State University -- can get them there. Millen, who played on four Super Bowl champions with three teams, said the 38-year-old Mornhinweg comes to Detroit "with a great pedigree."

"He's his own man," Millen said of the former San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator. "He's strong. He's a bulldog."

Revolving door

Mornhinweg becomes the Lions' third coach in three months. He replaces the fired Gary Moeller, who moved in after Bobby Ross resigned in November. Mornhinweg was one of five coaches considered for the job since Millen was hired two weeks ago.

Moeller was fired after taking over a 5-4 team that ended up 9-7 and out of the playoffs. Moeller's assistants also were fired but some could be re-hired by Mornhinweg.

Mornhinweg's hiring clearly showed Millen was in charge because Lions owner William Clay Ford wanted Moeller to stay for another season. But Ford didn't stand in Millen's way after giving him full authority to run the team.

The Lions will count on Mornhinweg to improve the play of quarterback Charlie Batch, who had 13 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions last season.

Mornhinweg plans to stick with Batch.

Speaking later at a news conference in Tampa, Fla., Mornhinweg said he wants to build the team around "character, attitude and class, and we need that from both the players and coaches."

Seeking talent

Mornhinweg said he already has spent considerable time evaluating the team, saying, "We have a good corps of players. What we need is a few great players who can do the things that win games."

The new coach said he will try to find those players from free agency, the draft and from the current roster.

Mornhinweg had a record-setting career at Montana as a quarterback. The Edmond, Okla., native played briefly in the Arena Football League before a career-ending knee injury. He then spent 10 seasons as a college assistant before joining the Packers.

The length of Mornhinweg's contract wasn't immediately discussed at the news conference. However, a football source speaking on condition of anonymity earlier said he agreed to a five-year deal. ESPN.com said the deal was worth $5 million.

Mornhinweg spent the last four seasons as the 49ers' offensive coordinator after two years as an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach for the Packers.

Mornhinweg has never been a head coach at any level, nor does he have any coaching experience on defense.