For Detroit Lions fans, the name Matt Patricia has a special place. And not in a good way, of course. It remains surprising he lasted less than three seasons as Lions' head coach, since it felt like it was so much longer.
Patricia stayed in coaching after his dismissal from Detroit, first back under the comfortable umbrella of Bill Belichick in New England and last season with the Philadelphia Eagles. But he did not find a coaching home for this year, so he's taking a new path.
Every day seems to bring news of a new role in media for Belichick. He's partnering with Underdog Fantasy for a new show. The debut episode was Monday, and there was a surprise co-host featured in the preview trailer.
Bill Belichick has some high praise for Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson and the Jets offense.
— Underdog Fantasy (@UnderdogFantasy) September 2, 2024
Episode 1 of COACH is coming soon 👀 pic.twitter.com/dqotTUIkML
That's a noticeably slimmer Patricia, talking with Belichick about the New York Jets' offense. No one has ever really doubted his knowledge of the game. Where Patricia failed most epically during his time at Lions' head coach was in interpersonal skills, and his presumed prominent role in roster evaluation and personnel moves that were made.
Former Lions' head coach Matt Patricia starting a surprising new career
It's unclear if Patricia will be a regular co-host on Belichick's show on Underdog Fantasy. But that's not all he's going to be doing in media. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday morning that Patricia and fellow former NFL head coach Adam Gase are joining Belichick as new members of The 33rd Team.
Patricia appeared on CNBC's "Squawk Box" Wednesday morning, and he talked about joining The 33rd Team.
Sports Venture @The33rdTeamFB adding to its team of contributors to offer content from former NFL players and coaches. Former Head Coach Matt Patricia and The 33rd Team investor Ryan Moore discuss: pic.twitter.com/BVsoHMuR92
— Squawk Box (@SquawkCNBC) September 4, 2024
"I think the great thing about the 33rd Team is really, Mike Tannenbaum has put together an incredible collection of coaches, executives, guys that have worked maybe in the personnel department, just different areas of the game," Patricia said. "If you want to grow and learn and really get into the details of what the NFL's really about and what the game of football's about, I think it's just a great resource for fans and coaches, former coaches, former executives to go. ... It's really a place to just grow and learn in the sport and really have that growth mindset."
Patricia will never be an NFL head coach again after what happened in Detroit, and his coaching future in general may be in question. So he's making the pivot to "stay in the game" via media, surprising as it is given his general loathing of, and clashes with, media members when he was Lions' head coach.