Lions Interviewing Matt Patricia, Mike Vrabel, Steve Wilks, Pat Shurmur & Teryl Austin

Albert Breer is reporting that the Lions have already requested permission to interview Texans DC Mike Vrabel for their head-coaching job.

• Josina Anderson reports that the Lions will interview DC Teryl Austin for their open head coaching job on Tuesday.
• Tom Pelissero reports that Lions have requested an interview with Vikings OC Pat Shurmur for their head coaching job.
• Ian Rapoport reports that the Lions have also requested permission to interview Panthers DC Steve Wilks.
• According to Rapoport, Patriots DC Matt Patricia is expected to get an interview with the Lions.

It appears as though the Lions could be leaning towards bringing in a defensive-minded head coach to pair with their current offensive staff.

Vrabel has been a fast-rising coach the past few years and he even had interest from NFL teams regarding head-coaching jobs last year.

Vrabel, 42, began his coaching career with Ohio State as their linebackers coach back in 2011. After the years with the Buckeyes, Vrabel was hired by the Texans as their linebackers coach and promoted to defensive coordinator last year.

In 2017, the Texans ranked No. 20 in yards allowed, No. 32 in points allowed, No. 13 in rushing yards and No. 24 in passing yards.

Wilks, 48, began his NFL coaching career with the Bears as their defensive backs coach back in 2006. He spent two years with the Chargers before following Ron Rivera to Carolina as their defensive backs coach. The Panthers promoted him to assistant head coach in 2015 and then to defensive coordinator last year after Sean McDermott took the Bills’ job.

Shurmur, 52, began his NFL coaching career with the Eagles in 1999 as their tight ends and offensive line coach. He was promoted to QBs coach before departing to become the offensive coordinator of the Rams in 2009.

Mike Holmgren hired Shurmur as the Browns head coach a few years later but he lasted just two seasons in Cleveland. After a few years with the Eagles, the Vikings hired him as their tight ends coach in 2016 and he worked his way up to offensive coordinator.