Seven Head Coaches the Detroit Lions should consider

Randy Glisson: Hue Jackson

Nov 16, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson against the Houston Texans at Paul Brown Stadium. The Texans won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

When assessing head coaching candidates, I like to use a particular formula (Organization history + personnel + draft/free agency status = new head coach).

The first part of the equation, especially in the case of the Detroit Lions, is the most notable. It would be nice to say John Gruden, Bill Cowher, and Jim Harbaugh are your top three candidates. However, one has to let reality sink in. Why would any of the previously mentioned coaches leave their current positions to come to an organization that has had 8 coaches since the start of the 2000 season?

Hue Jackson only has a year of experience as a head coach, leading the Raiders to an 8-8 record in 2011. His firing after just one season was one of the more disputed decisions in recent Raiders history. The Raiders offense finished fourth in the AFC and sixth in the NFL in scoring (25.6 points per game) also finished fifth in the AFC and 10th in the NFL in total offense (354.6 yards per game) and second in the NFL and AFC in rushing (155.9 yards per game). Jackson accomplished that while having to start three different quarterbacks : Carson Palmer (9), Jason Campbell (6), and Kyle Boller (1).

In addition to the Raiders, Jackson has spent time on the staff of Washington, Atlanta, Baltimore, and most recently the Cincinnati Bengals. Jackson has been the offensive coordinator for the Bengals since last season. Jackson has worked well in the development of quarterback Andy Dalton while formulating great balanced game plans.

The Lions have pieces on offense and with Jackson’s tutelage, could reinvent themselves into the offensive juggernaut that they once were

Kent Platte is up next with another one that hasn’t occurred to anybody.

Next: Kent Platte: Matt Patricia