Detroit Lions: When will the hammer drop on Matt Patricia?

When will the Detroit Lions finally fire head coach Matt Patricia?

Following the Detroit Lions‘ recent 41-25 loss to the Houston Texans in front of a massive national audience on Thanksgiving, one thing is clear. No one is happy.

Not the fans. Not the players, Not the coaches. Not the front office. And certainly, not owner Shelia Ford Hamp, as the recent rash of memes featuring her covering her face in apparent embarrassment over the Lions’ performance during the holiday game can attest.

It’s also clear that head coach Matt Patricia’s days are numbered in the Motor City. This after three-straight seasons where the former Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator will fail to eclipse the accomplishments of his predecessor, Jim Caldwell.

Caldwell was unceremoniously fired about posting back-to-back 9-7 seasons in Detroit. Patricia was hired in his place to help make a borderline playoff-worthy team perennial contenders. Instead, the first-time head coach promptly sent the franchise into a nosedive all in the name of culture change.

Over the past two and a half seasons, Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn have led Detroit to an embarrassing 13-29-1 record. The Lions currently sit once again in the basement of the NFC North division at 4-7. And many are simply waiting for the hammer to drop on Patricia, potentially within the next couple of days.

After mentioning the fact former Lions’ head coach Steve Mariucci was fired on the Monday after Thanksgiving back in 2005, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press wrote this about the current feelings surrounding the potential departure of Patricia soon.

"” … people both in the organization and around the NFL reaffirmed Friday they believe Patricia is down to his final few weeks, if not days, as Lions coach. I do not have a clear understanding of when something will happen, or why it has not already, but you’d be hard-pressed right now to find anyone who thinks it won’t.”"

While both fans and media members are currently on Patricia-watch, waiting to hear news about a potential move, the Lions’ organization itself may see no other alternative but to retain his services for the rest of the season. And that could be due to a limited amount of options.

The most likely candidate to take over as interim head coach for the rest of this season in Detroit is offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. Yet, the fact the team recently put up one of its worst offensive performances of the season in a 20-0 blowout to the Carolina Panthers in Week 11 likely doesn’t strengthen his case.

As for the other interim head coaching candidates on the Detroit Lions’ current coaching staff, special team coordinator Brayden Coombs appears to deserve some consideration. Especially considering how his unit has played so far this year. But the fact Coombs is only 34-years old and is in his first season with the team could hurt his chances.