Detroit Lions Heach Coaching Options: The Clock Is Ticking!

All this talk about how to improve the Detroit Lions, what players the Lions need to take in the draft, and do they draft a quarterback or left tackle (63.5 percent of the abnormal people who read my article Detroit Lions 2009 Draft: Left Tackle or Quarterback? voted for left tackle)...to tell the truth, none of that matters until a head coach is decided upon.

Ah, yes, who will be the coach to follow the ill-fated, Matt Millen-chosen Rod Marinelli? I provide a list of possible and realistic choices. I base these facts on a coach’s desire to actually coach in the NFL.

So no Bill Parcells, Mike Holmgren, or Bill Cowher...these guys are a pipe dream, so let's get them out of our heads right now.

Mike Shanahan

Would be perhaps the most popular choice among Lions fans. He has been in the league for 16 years, 14 of them with the Broncos. An overall record of 146-98, two Super Bowl victories, and a penchant for improving a running game, he would be the big name the Lions may be looking for.

However, he did have a lot of control at Denver, and William Clay Ford, Jr. is reluctant to allow head coaches such control. But little is known if Shanahan wants to coach again.

He’s got nothing to prove and is set for life financially. It would only be a strong desire to bring him back to the game...and I’m not sure the situation in Detroit would feed that desire properly.

Eric Mangini

A Belichick protégé, Mangini never matched the success he had as an assistant. Three years as head coach of the Jets, his most successful was his first, when the Jets went 10-6 and lost to Belichick in the 2006 Wild Card game. Still, he his a defensive-minded coach and a change of scenery might be what is needed.

Steve Spagnuolo

The type of coach I think is needed to turn the Lions around. The defensive coordinator for the defending Super Bowl champions, Spagnuolo’s defensive scheme attacked the New England Patriots straight on to get them the win in Super Bowl XLII.

His development of the Giants defensive front four could be critical for the Lions success. They are similar to the Giants in being undersized, but that’s about it.

Talent would need to be increased on the Lions' front before they can even think about reaching the Giant’s level. Still, Spagnuolo brings the game plan, which is where they need to start.

Jason Garrett

The darling of offensive coordinators of 2007, when the Cowboys went 13-3, Garrett’s shine lost some its luster in 2008. But he did develop Tony Romo into the passer he is today.

Could he do the same for Drew Stanton or Dan Orlovsky? Garrett knows the quarterback spot; he was in the league as one for 13 years.

At $3 million per year, he is the highest paid offensive coordinator in the league. My feeling is he will stay with Dallas and become the eventual replacement for Wade Phillips. But the Lions should make a run at him to breathe some new life into a predictable and stagnant offense.

Leslie Frazier

Currently the defensive coordinator of the Vikings, most of his coaching career has involved working with the secondary. And if there is one element of the Lions that is desperate for improvement, it’s the secondary.

In 2005, Colts coach Tony Dungy hired Frazier as a special assistant to the head coach and defensive backs coach. During his stint with the Colts, the secondary went from 15th-ranked in 2005 to second-ranked in 2006.

Todd Bowles

Another secondary specialist, Bowles had success with the Cowboys before joining Miami in 2008. For three years, Cowboy defensive backs were chosen to a combined five Pro Bowls, including three by safety Roy Williams. During that time, the Cowboys came up with 52 interceptions, something the Lions are desperate to improve on.

Rex Ryan

Son of famed defensive guru Buddy Ryan, Rex is the only remaining assistant coach from the Ravens 2000 season’s record-setting defense. He interviewed for the head coaching job after Brian Billick was fired but lost out to John Harbaugh, who kept him on as defensive coordinator and also gave him the title of assistant head coach.

The Ravens have had some great defenses over the years and the attacking style of Ryan’s defense would be a welcome change from the wimpy Cover-2.

My personal pick would be either Steve Spagnuolo or Rex Ryan. Defense needs a drastic overhaul, but I don’t think either one of them would ignore the offense.