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An unexpected name has popped up in the Detroit Lions' coaching search: Tom Cable, the former head coach of the Oakland Raiders and current offensive line coach and assistant head coach for the Seattle Seahawks. Dave Birkett reports that the Lions "have interest" in Cable, and according to Ian Rapoport, the Lions have already started "doing background work" on him.
Those in Seattle view Tom Cable as one of their most valuable assistants, if not most valuable. Pete Carroll spoke to Lions brass about him.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 31, 2013
No official request from #Lions on Tom Cable. Those who know him say he’s the most misunderstood person in NFL. Really good teacher
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 31, 2013
Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn have already received a lot of interest in coaching searches this week, but Cable is a bit more under the radar. He only had a 17-27 record in three years as head coach of the Raiders, and he's probably best known for allegedly punching an assistant while in Oakland.
Cable has certainly excelled in a non-head coach role in Seattle, but I have a tough time believing the Lions will actually end up hiring him. There's no harm in looking at all potential options, but hiring someone with a spotty record as a head coach and a questionable history off the field wouldn't go over well with fans, especially with this Lions team believed to be in need of a "culture change."
