Detroit Lions: Is an offensive or defensive head coach a bigger advantage?

Do offensive head coaches have an advantage?

Three years ago Matt Patricia was hired by Bob Quinn to make the Detroit Lions championship contenders. Patricia had become a hot commodity for his work as Bill Belichick’s defensive coordinator in New England.

Today both Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn are searching for new employment after failing to lift the Lions out of the NFC North cellar.

When we rewind the clock further back we can examine the failed tenures of Rod Marinelli and Jim Schwartz. Both had been highly regarded defensive coordinators who were given the opportunity to turn around the Lions.

Despite each having successful backgrounds on the defensive side of the ball, like Patricia, neither were able to build a fearsome defense in Detroit, and overall their time in the Motor City was mired in mediocrity.

As a matter of fact, it was Marinelli’s 2008 Lions that accomplished the incredible feat of becoming the first team in NFL history since the league went to a 16 game schedule in 1978 to go through a season winless.

The only real bright spot in recent Lions history was Jim Caldwell who gave way to the failed Patricia era.

Before his arrival in Detroit Caldwell was known for his work on the offensive side of the ball. He had been the quarterback’s coach in Indianapolis for several years before being promoted to the Colts head coach in 2009 when he led them to Super Bowl XLIV.

After three seasons as the Colts head coach, Caldwell was shown the door and he joined the Baltimore Ravens for one season as their quarterback coach before assuming the role of offensive coordinator as well later that season when the Raven fired Cam Cameron.

After the Ravens finished the season with a win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, the Detroit Lions hired him to turn around their fortunes.

In Caldwell’s four years with the Lions, they made the playoffs twice and he finished with a record of 36-28. His .563 winning percentage is the best in Lions history since Buddy Parker back in the 1950s when Detroit was a dynasty.

So the question is; do offensive head coaches have an advantage in today’s NFL?