Matt Patricia officially named head coach of Detroit Lions
With the Patriots having finally concluded their season, the news that defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is leaving to become head coach of the Detroit Lions is now official.
The Lions announced the Patricia news Monday afternoon, one day after the Patriots lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 41-33, in Super Bowl LII.
Patricia will be reunited with Detroit general manager Bob Quinn, who spent more than a decade in New England, beginning as a player personnel assistant in 2000 and moving up to director of pro scouting by 2012.
The Lions went 9-7 this past season and failed to reach the playoffs, after which they decided to part ways with coach Jim Caldwell. Offensively, they appear to be in good shape, with quarterback Matthew Stafford leading the way. Detriot signed Stafford to a five-year extension before last season. It appears that Patricia will keep offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter on the staff.
Patricia spent 14 seasons with the Patriots, starting in 2004 when he was an offensive coaching assistant. He worked his way up to defensive coordinator in 2012.
In six seasons under Patricia, the Patriots defense never finished outside the top 10 in points allowed. The Lions have had a scoring defense finish in the top 10 just once in the last 17 years.
