Sources: Detroit Lions likely to land Matt Patricia as head coach
According to league sources, it appears the Detroit Lions will likely sign current New England Patriot’s defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as it’s next head coach.
When the Detroit Lions opted to part ways with head coach Jim Caldwell at the end of a 9-7 season, the Motor City was sending a clear message. Posting winning seasons in Detroit isn’t good enough anymore. The Lions must have success in the playoffs.
Under Caldwell, Detroit had plenty of regular season success. In fact, for three of his four years with the Lions, he led them to winning records. Caldwell also posted two postseason appearances during his short tenure in the Motor City. But the Lions failed to win a single playoff game, and haven’t done so since 1992.
With Bob Quinn entering his third year as general manager, Caldwell’s firing is an opportunity to place his own head coach at the helm of the Lions. A longtime executive for the New England Patriots, it was a natural assumption that Detroit’s next head coach would come from the Bill Belichick coaching tree. And with both Patriots’ coordinators, Josh McDaniels (offensive) and Matt Patricia (defensive), being the two hottest candidates in the NFL’s current coaching carousel, Quinn would seemingly get his wish.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Lions appear very likely to land Patricia as their next head coach.
Patriots’ defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is likely to become the Detroit Lions’ next head coach, league sources told ESPN. More on Sunday NFL Countdown.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 14, 2018
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport backed up Schefter’s report as well.
#Patriots DC Matt Patricia has long been the favorite for the #Lions, despite overtures from the #Giants. @AdamSchefter reported he's likely their coach, and that has been my understanding all along, as well. Patriots likely lose Patricia and McDaniels.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2018
Patricia appears to be the perfect candidate for the Lions in 2018. Not only has he had unprecedented success in New England since joining them in 2004, but as the Patriots’ defensive coordinator for the past six seasons, Patricia has been able to generate a Super Bowl winning defense without any real marquee players. And according to one former player, the guys in Detroit’s locker room should love playing for him.
When Patricia was a candidate in Cleveland I didnt want him.. he just seemed dusagreeable & thought he would try to go overboard as a drill sergeant.
— Andrew Hawkins (@Hawk) January 14, 2018
When I got to New England, I felt like an idiot, because he was AWESOME and I couldnt have been more wrong about his personality. https://t.co/LKz0jpv49Q
Next: Detroit Lions 2018 draft must focus on defensive line
Surely, the Detroit Lions are hoping Matt Patricia can do the same in the Motor City as he’s done with the Pats with players like cornerback Darius Slay, safety Glover Quin, linebacker Jarrad Davis and presumably pass rusher Ziggy Ansah serving as the building blocks he never had in New England. But Patricia’s hiring in Detroit is still speculation at this point, and will remain so until the Patriots’ playoff run is concluded.