Detroit Lions reportedly poach Patriots coordinator
Four games into this NFL season, it’s hard to imagine that any team would have been interested in hiring Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as its next coach.
New England was off to a sluggish 2-2 start, and the defense was, well, offensive, giving up 32 points per game.
Without a doubt, the defending Super Bowl champs looked to be on the decline.
So much for appearances. After that low point, the Pats went 11-1 to finish the season, with its much-maligned defense giving up 20 or more points just twice.
Following Saturday’s 35-14 AFC Divisional round thumping of Tennessee, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Patricia will be hired as the next coach of the Detroit Lions.
BREAKING: Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is likely to be named head coach of the Lions, @AdamSchefter reports. pic.twitter.com/00yepCXM50
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 14, 2018
Patricia was a hot commodity last week, conducting interviews with multiple teams during New England’s bye week.
In fact, the New York Daily News had reported it was just about a done deal that Patricia would be the choice of the Giants to replace Ben McAdoo.
But Lions general manager Bob Quinn appears to have reached back to his roots as a New England executive to snare his No. 1 choice.
We feel safe in saying that Patricia will be the first coach in NFL history with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, which he earned at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1996.
The 43-year old joined Bill Belichick’s staff in 2004 as an offensive assistant, being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2012.
Since that time, the Patriots have gone 75-21, and have won two Super Bowls.
Patricia’s defense has yielded yardage this season — finishing 12th in rushing yards per game and 25th in passing yards during that span — but allowed just 19.2 points per game, second in the NFL.
He will take over a Lions team that finished 9-7 under Jim Caldwell.
#Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has indicated to potential assistants to wait for him. The belief is he takes the #Colts job, as he's the clear favorite, sources say. Indy's other finalist is Mike Vrabel.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2018
In addition to having to replace Patricia, it looks like the Patriots will have to find a new offensive coordinator as well. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport tweeted Sunday that most believe Josh McDaniels will become the next head coach at Indianapolis.
Both the Lions and Colts will have to wait to make their new hires official, however. Neither Patricia nor McDaniels can officially be hired until the Patriots’ season ends. New England, of course is one win away from going back to the Super Bowl.
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