Lions Approval Ratings: The Search

by Sean Yuille on Jan 16, 2009 4:32 AM EST in Detroit Lions Polls

With the Lions' search for a new head coach now over, it is time to take a look back at the process and decide whether or not Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand did a good job. Below is a poll asking you about the coaching search, but first, here is a recap of who ended up getting interviewed for the job (many other names were thrown out there, but I only listed the ones that actually interviewed):

Coach	Team	Current Job	Interview
Todd Bowles	Dolphins	Assistant/Secondary Coach	Yes (January 7 & 13)
Leslie Frazier	Vikings	Defensive Coordinator	Yes (January 9)
Jason Garrett	Cowboys	Offensive Coordinator	Yes (January 5)
Jerry Gray	Redskins	Secondary Coach	Yes (January 2)
Ron Rivera	Chargers	Defensive Coordinator	Yes (January 14)
Jim Schwartz	Titans	Defensive Coordinator	Yes (January 3 & 12)
Steve Spagnuolo	Giants	Defensive Coordinator	Yes (January 1)

Make sure to vote in the poll below and leave your thoughts in the comments section. Later today I will post another poll asking about the hiring of Jim Schwartz specifically.

Poll

Do you approve of the coaching search Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand executed?

Yes

244 votes

No

21 votes

265 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

search not wide enough

While we don’t know what happened behind closed doors, it doesn’t look like the Lions went after any high quality proven prospects. Have any of these guys actually been a head coach anywhere, even college or high school?

It could very well be that the experienced coaches all said ‘absolutely not’ when invited to interview for the Lions job. We don’t know. But I suspect that didn’t happen. My guess was WCF followed his history and hired a coach that he could get cheaply. He seems to like to bring in unknown coaches who appreciate the opportunity instead of coaches who know what needs to be done.

I have resolved not to buy any Detroit Lions tickets, merchandise, or advertised goods until they win a game. I encourage all loyal Detroit Lions fans to do the same. We need to make WCF realize that he can’t make money with this same old strategy.

by birdseed on Jan 16, 2009 9:08 AM EST reply actions

Agreed

I wonder if Clay Ford Sr. was trying to get someone in who knew something about defence. As you can see, most of the above coaches specialize in an area of defence. You are probably right though that he was just trying to find someone cheap.

by MjrChnHzrd on Jan 16, 2009 9:24 AM EST up reply actions

Search was plenty wide

and I believe they got the best man for the job in Jim Schwartz. he will turn this franchise around. Who did you have in mind for the head coach? Cowher? Shannahan? Haslett? Bill doesn’t want to coach anywhere and I’d pass on the other two to turn it around. Schwartz will do a good job as long as Mayhew and Lewand let him do his thing. They did do a pretty thorough search for the new coach, interviewing several of the top candidates in the NFL.

"A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five." ~Groucho Marx

by Jettero2112 on Jan 16, 2009 11:54 AM EST reply actions