Lions owner Martha Ford says the team will keep both HC Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn in their roles for the 2020 season, per ESPN’s Michael Rothstein.
“We expect to be a playoff contender,” Ford said via the Athletic’s Chris Burke, “and those are our expectations, which we’ve expressed to both Bob and to Matt.”
Patricia and Quinn’s job status had come into question this season as the Lions have lost seven straight and currently have a record of 3-10-1.
In Patricia’s two seasons, Detroit is 9-20-1 despite the fact Patricia inherited a team that had previously finished 9-7.
However, injuries to notable players including QB Matthew Stafford pushed the Ford’s to give Patricia another chance to turn it around in 2020.
“(Firing Patricia) would have been the popular choice, the popular decision,” Lions vice chair Sheila Ford Hamp said, “and we knew that. But as I say, we’re doing what is right for the organization.”
Patricia, 45, began his NFL coaching career as an offensive assistant for the Patriots back in 2004. He held a number of position during his 14 years in New England including assistant offensive line coach, linebackers coach, and safeties coach before he was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2012.
The Lions hired Patricia as their head coach in February, 2018. In two seasons, Patricia has a record of 9-20-1.
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