Although I am not enthused with the decision to promote Martin Mayhew, I will give him a pat on the back for being so proactive with the Lions' search for a new head coach. Earlier today the Lions requested an interview with Redskins secondary coach Jerry Gray and Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and since then they have added a few more names to the list, according to (who else) Adam Schefter.
The Lions have asked for and received permission to interview Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, once viewed as the successor to coach Wade Phillips, league sources confirmed Monday. The Lions and Garrett are in the process of trying to set up the interview. It could happen this week. [...]
The Lions did not stop there. They also have requested an interview with one of the most sought-after assistants on the market, Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, whose team has a bye this weekend. Schwartz is thought to be intrigued with the Browns job, but perhaps the Lions could sell him on Detroit.
I'm not a huge Jason Garrett fan after what the Cowboys did this past season, but I would definitely be happy with Schwartz. The Titans' defense was amazing this season and is largely responsible for Tennessee having the league's best record.
Schwartz isn't the only defensive coordinator being added to the list of candidates in the last couple of hours, as the Lions have requested an interview with Minnesota's Leslie Frazier as well.
One year after Frazier interviewed for the Falcons and Dolphins coaching jobs, he has been asked to interview for the Lions’ vacant position. The hard part is figuring out when Frazier can talk to the Lions about the job. Minnesota is hosting Philadelphia in one of the NFC Wild-Card games this weekend. Coaches involved in games this weekend can interview for coaching jobs next week, but it’s possible the Vikings will be playing then. Minnesota is trying to figure out what would be the optimum time for Frazier to meet with the Lions.
I would be very happy with Frazier if he were hired. The Vikings' defense has been great, and as Schefter pointed out in his post about Frazier, Tony Dungy and Mike Tomlin both were once Minnesota's defensive coordinator. Dungy's track record speaks for itself, and Tomlin is doing an outstanding job as head coach of the Steelers.
Pride of Detroit's coverage of the Lions' search for a new head coach can be found here.