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Detroit Lions make it official, hire Matt Patricia as head coach

By Steven Mullenax

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia looks on during warm-ups prior to Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia looks on during warm-ups prior to Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The worst kept secret in the NFL is no longer under wraps as the Detroit Lions officially make Matt Patricia their new head coach.

Well, it’s finally official. The worst kept secret in the NFL is now a fact. On Monday, the Detroit Lions have officially named Matt Patricia their new head coach.

The announcement comes a day after the former defensive coordinator for the New England Patroits allowed the Philadelphia Eagles to score 41 points on way to their first Super Bowl championship.

For the 43-year old Patricia, this will be his first head coaching job ever after spending the past 14 years as a member of the Patriots’ staff under legendary head coach Bill Belichick. And it’s that time under Belichick that Lion fans hope will pay off in their first trip to the Super Bowl sometime very soon.

"“I’d like to express my appreciation and thanks to Bill Belichick,” Patricia told Pro Football Talk. “He’s been a remarkable mentor to me, not only as a football coach but also as a man and as a friend. I have learned immensely from his detailed leadership approach to the game, which has certainly shaped me into the football coach that I am today.”"

The Lions are one of only four teams never to play in the Super Bowl. The other three being the Cleveland Browns, the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although the Jags were one game away this season, losing to the Patroits in the AFC Divisional round of the playoffs. With Patricia at the helm, the expectations are sky high in the Motor City.

And why not? This is a team that has been to the postseason twice in the past four seasons. Under previous head coach Jim Caldwell, the Lions were a winning team, having gone 9-7 the past two years straight. They figure to be even better with Patricia as head coach.

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With Matt Patricia’s defensive knowledge, expect Detroit’s defense to see some drastic changes in the coming months. The same can not be said about the offense, which will stay nearly the same as offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter will survive the transition for at least one more season. But do expect this Lions’ front office to find the Pride a new running back or two to try and spark the league’s worst ground game in 2017.

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