By Michael Stets
After waiting out the entire NFL postseason, the Lions have officially hired Matt Patricia as their next head coach.
The team announced the news on Monday afternoon, less than a day after the Philadelphia Eagles defeated Patricia’s former team the New England Patriots, 41-33, in Superbowl LII.
“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,” said Lions executive vice president and general manager Bob Quinn. “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. He embodies the same hard-working, blue-collar attributes that represent our organization and the great City of Detroit.”
Quinn, who after firing Jim Caldwell following the conclusion of the 2017 season, said the goal was to “hire the best coach to help us win a championship.” The Lions GM interviewed Patricia and five other potential head coaching candidates, but many in the media were convinced it would be Patricia, whom he worked with while an executive in New England for 12 years, who would ultimately land the gig as the Lions 27th head coach in team history.
Known for his unconventional appearance from sporting a shaggy beard, wearing his hat backwards, and sporting a No.2 pencil behind his ear, Patricia, 43, takes the reigns as Lions head coach following 14 years in New England, where he served as defensive coordinator the last six seasons. Prior to that, he was the linebackers coach (2006-2010), safeties coach (2011), and an assistant offensive line coach (2005). He began his tenure with New England as a coaching assistant in 2004.
A native of Sherill, N.Y., Patricia began his coaching career in 1996 as a graduate assistant at his alma matter Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (R.P.I.), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering and played both center and guard during his collegiate career. After two years away from coaching, he coached the defensive line at Amherst College (1999-2000) and went on to Syracuse University as a graduate assistant (2001-2003) before being hired by New England.
“I’m incredibly honored and grateful to be named Head Coach of the Detroit Lions,” Patricia said in a statement. “Thank you to Mrs. Ford and her family, Rod Wood, and Bob Quinn for their trust and support as we begin this new chapter of Lions football. This position comes with great responsibility, and I will commit every ounce of my energy to this football team, starting today. My family is excited to become part of this wonderful city that displays so much passion for their teams.”
The former Patriots coach, who helped coach the team to three Superbowl titles, six AFC championships, and 13 AFC East Divisional titles, expressed plenty of appreciation for his former team, as well as his former head coach Bill Belichick.
“I can’t express enough appreciation to the entire New England Patriots franchise, particularly Robert and Jonathan Kraft and their entire family,” Patricia said. “I will truly cherish these last 14 years as a member of this incredible organization.
“Lastly, I’d like to express my appreciation and thanks to Bill Belichick. He’s been a remarkable mentor to me, not only as a football coach but also as a man and as a friend. I have learned immensely from his detailed leadership approach to the game, which has certainly shaped me into the football coach that I am today. Quite simply, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with, who I believe, is the greatest coach in NFL history.
“Now I turn all of my attention to the Lions. I look forward to the next chapter of my career in Detroit.”