Detroit Lions: 5 Replacements for Matt Patricia as head coach
By Tayyib Abu
The Detroit Lions are looking for a new head coach, so who could replace Matt Patricia?
The Detroit Lions have officially parted ways with head coach Matt Patricia. The team announced the firing on Saturday. The NFL world knew it was coming after the blowout loss on Thanksgiving, a game during which team owner Sheila Ford Hamp was pictured covering her eyes
That sealed the third-year head coach’s fate. Now the Detroit Lions are looking for their next messiah (as well as a general manager as Bob Quinn was fired too). The organization will be looking for someone that can turn the fortunes of this floundering organization around. Patricia was not that man and now the search has begun for the next head coach.
It is a tough job for the next head coach, to be. The Lions have won one playoff game in the Super Bowl era. The task is difficult but the Lions owners will give the next head coach time. They will not meddle in football affairs while Lions fans are desperate for success. Get it right in Detroit, and the next coach will be a legend forever.
Let’s see who are some of the contenders to be the next head coach of the Detroit Lions.
Detroit Lions head coach candidate No. 5: Matt Eberflus, Colts DC
Matt Eberflus is the current defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts. Eberflus has a wealth of experience in both the college game and the NFL. This year, Eberflus has presided over a great defensive unit.
The defense has underpinned the Colts’ success in the 2020 season. With current Indianapolis assistant general manager Ed Dodds emerging as one of the hot contenders to be the next GM in Detroit, there is a route for Eberflus to get the head coach job in Detroit. The Indianapolis defense has been a top-five unit in every key metric. Also, Eberflus is a strong communicator who has built strong relationships with his players in Indiana.
That could be a key trait the Lions hierarchy is wanting to incorporate. We all know that Matt Patricia had immense difficulty connecting with his players; he alienated experienced players and locker room leaders.
The next head coach in Detroit will have to build better relationships with his players. Eberflus could be the man for that.