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Detroit Lions: Matt Patricia explains why he loves being a head coach

By Steven Mullenax

ALLEN PARK, MI - FEBRUARY 07: Matt Patricia speaks at a press conference after being hired as the head coach of the Detroit Lions at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ALLEN PARK, MI - FEBRUARY 07: Matt Patricia speaks at a press conference after being hired as the head coach of the Detroit Lions at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Many wonder how Matt Patricia will transition from longtime coordinator to first-time head coach of the Detroit Lions. He’s actually loving the change.

Following the firing of Jim Caldwell on New Year’s Day, one day after the team’s final regular season game of 2017, a 35-11 win over the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions were suddenly on the hunt for a new head coach.

One of the hottest coaching candidates was New England Patroits defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. And coincidentally, Lions’ general manager Bob Quinn had a pre-existing relationship with Patricia, as both worked for the Pats together for several years.

Quinn joined the Patroits’ organization in 2000 as a Player personnel assistant, then he got into scouting. By 2012, he was the Director of Pro Scouting. He would remain in that position for four years before leaving to take the helm as a first-time GM in the Motor City.

Joining New England as an Offensive Assistant in 2004, Patricia would switch over to the defensive side of the ball two years later, taking over as the Patroits’ Linebacker coach with  legends like Mike Vrabel, Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi to oversee. Ironically, Vrabel was also a top head coaching candidate this offseason, eventually landing with the Tennessee Titans.

In 2012, Patricia became defensive coordinator in New England, leading the Patroits to six-straight AFC Championship games and three Super Bowl appearances.

Quinn’s relationship with Patricia undoubtedly helped the Lions land the highly-pursued head coaching candidate, who was also rumored to have both the New York Giants and the Arizona Cardinals very interested in him. In 2017, Patricia was also interviewed by both Los Angeles’ franchises, the Chargers and the Rams.

Now, Patricia’s potential must quickly turn into reality in Detroit. The wunderkind defensive guru of the Patroits has the new task of getting these Lions over the playoff hump. Despite being in the playoffs twice in the past four years, the Motor City hasn’t recorded a single postseason victory since 1992. Patricia’s presence is expected to end that massive dry spell.

But, the 43-year old is still a first-time head coach after all. Despite his long tenure with New England, and being at the right hand side of coaching legend Bill Belichick, helming a franchise of your very own is surely an entirely different animal.

Yet, Patricia’s been training for this role for the past 14-years in New England. And he’s had the best possible football professor to study under. Luckily, Patricia is also loving the transition from coordinator to head coach. Here’s why …

"“I love it because you get to actually reach out and get to be a part of all the different groups on the field,” Patricia told DetroitLions.com during minicamp. “This is just a great opportunity for me to go hands-on on the field – go see their work, see how they improve. Just in general as a coach, you want to be out there coaching. And I get to do it in a lot of different facets instead of just one, which is great.”"

Next: The Detroit Lions Quiz (2010-2017) – Test your fan knowledge!

Matt Patricia was hired to win in Detroit. His track record is stellar. But until the real football starts in September, no one really knows what his impact is going to be in the Motor City. At least, for now, Patricia seems to be enjoying the process.

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