New England

Lions Announce Matt Patricia as New Head Coach

The Detroit Lions have hired Matt Patricia of the New England Patriots as their coach.

The expected hiring of the defensive coordinator comes a day after the Patriots lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl. Lions general manager Bob Quinn made the move Monday, reuniting with someone he worked with in New England for more than a decade.

“When we launched the search for our next head coach, I wanted to find a leader that could take us to the next level and I am confident we have found that in Matt Patricia," Lions Executive Vice President and General Manager Bob Quinn said. "He has been preparing for this opportunity his entire career, and he’s ready for the responsibility and its challenges.

“Matt is driven to succeed, has extreme passion for the game and excels in preparation," Quinn added. "He embodies the same hard-working, blue-collar attributes that represent our organization and the great City of Detroit.”

Patricia was the Patriots' defensive coordinator for six seasons, ending with a Super Bowl loss in which his unit gave up 41 points and 538 yards.

He was on Bill Belichick's staff for 14 seasons, overlapping with Quinn for many years. Quinn was a part of the Patriots' personnel department for 16 years before Detroit gave him his first shot to be an NFL GM.

Patricia cuts a distinctive figure on the sideline, with a bushy beard, backward ball cap and a pencil above his right ear.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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