The Detroit Lions are getting their man, Matt Patricia, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Patriots’ DC Matt Patricia now likely to be the Lions’ next HC, per sources:https://t.co/0BukUuffgc https://t.co/6HNBsTkNQk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 14, 2018
Patricia, the current defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, is expected to be named as the next Detroit Lions head coach, league sources told ESPN.
Patricia was the hottest name on the coaching market, and he really had his choice of where he wanted to go. He was recently linked to the New York Giants head coaching opening, which made sense because Patricia is a native of New York state, but the Lions vacancy may have been more appealing due to the current states of the two franchises.
The Patriots defeated the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional Round last night, so as defensive coordinator, his focus and duties still remain in Foxborough, Massachusetts for the time being. Schefter reports that Patricia and Detroit’s front office still need to agree and work out the terms of his deal after the Patriots’ season is over.
The next Lions head coach has been with the Patriots since 2004, where he actually started as an offensive assistant. He then moved up to assistant offensive line coach the following season, then moved to the defensive side of the ball in 2006 as the linebackers coach. He held that post until 2011, when he moved to safeties coach. Patricia was then promoted to defensive coordinator in 2012.
Prior to his time in New England, Patricia started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He spent one year there before taking two years off before moving on to Amherst college in 1999 as the defensive line coach. He then became an offensive graduate assistant at Syracuse from 2001 through 2003.
So why did Patricia take two years off from coaching? It appears that football isn’t the only subject that he is extremely intelligent in. Earning a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from RPI in 1996, he was a highly sought-after candidate in engineering circles. After taking a job maintaining submarines and aircraft carriers, he decided to go back to coaching.
Patricia helped coach the Patriots to three Super Bowl Championships. The Patriots won Super Bowl XXXIX with Patrica as an offensive assistant, and Super Bowls XLIX and LI as the defensive coordinator.
Patrica, 43, is a great get for the Lions, and is a Bob Quinn guy through-and-through. In fact, the two spent seven seasons together in New England from 2009 through 2015, prior to Quinn taking the general manager job in Detroit.
As long as nothing breaks down with contract talks, the Detroit Lions have their next head coach.
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