3. Leslie Frazier, Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator
Frazier interviewed for head coaching openings with the Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Houston Texans last year, and he’s a prime second-chance candidate as he has rebuilt his stock under Sean McDermott as Buffalo’s defensive coordinator. He has interviewed for other openings in recent years, and it may only be a matter of time before he leaves the Bills for a head coaching job.
Frazier was interim head coach and then the full-time head man from 2010-2013 for the Minnesota Vikings, with a total record of 21-32-1 and one playoff appearance. He often seemed ill-equipped to be a head coach, but he is an even-keel hand with roots in the Tony Dungy coaching tree and plenty of experience on the side of the ball the Lions need the most help on.
Frazier is not a head coaching hire who will “win the press conference” by spewing catch-phrases and raising the volume in the room. But he is well-respected and experienced, two things the Lions may seek in a new head coach if they move to replace Dan Campbell.
Frazier will easily remind Lions fans of former head coach Jim Caldwell, who also worked under Dungy. Caldwell got a raw deal in Detroit when then-general manager Bob Quinn just had to hire “his guy”, Patricia.
Lions fans will surely want someone with more pizzazz than Frazier. But he is well-respected and experienced, the latter of which the Lions may prioritize in a new head coach if they move to replace Dan Campbell.