Since being fired by the Detroit Lions in November, Steve Mariucci has shunned interview requests through agent Gary O'Hagan and his best friend, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo. Mariucci also asked a Pistons spokesman to keep reporters away when the Spartans played at The Palace earlier this season. But a four-word response Sunday night during halftime of the Los Angeles Lakers-Detroit Pistons game confirmed what many have concluded about his plans. When an Associated Press reporter asked Mariucci if he planned to take time off from coaching, he replied: "A long time off." O'Hagan declined to comment twice earlier this month when asked about his client's future. Mariucci has two more years remaining on the $25 million contract he signed with the Lions in 2003.