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Detroit Lions 2021 general manager search tracker: Candidate list, scheduled interviews, more

All the news about the Lions’ GM search. All in one place.

By Jeremy Reisman Updated
Green Bay Packers v Detroit Lions Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images

It has now been a few of weeks since the Detroit Lions made the decision to let go of head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn. While both job searches are expected to be intense and thorough, much of the Lions’ efforts early have been on the general manager job. That makes a lot of sense, because most head coaching candidates are not available to interview right now, and many believe the general manager should be in place first.

Team owner Sheila Ford Hamp has been very active, especially in the last week or so, in getting this general manager search underway, including hiring advisors like Rod Graves, Mark Hollis, Barry Sanders, and, of course, Chris Spielman. Over the past couple days, reports have been coming at a furious pace regarding potential candidates for the job, so we figured it was a time to put all that information in one place, so that you can be up-to-the-second with the latest news.

Introducing, our 2021 Detroit Lions general manager search tracker! We’ll list candidates here, when they’re scheduled to interview, if they’ve had any follow-up interviews, who else they’ve interviewed with, and any other pertinent information regarding Detroit’s GM search. Enjoy!

GM SEARCH OVER:

LIONS HIRE BRAD HOLMES AS NEXT GM

GM search advisors

  • Rod Graves (advisor)
  • Mark Hollis (advisor)
  • Barry Sanders (advisor)
  • Chris Spielman (full-time advisor, Special Assistant to the Chairman and President & CEO)
  • Mike Disner — reportedly will have a ‘major role’ in the search

GM candidates

Internal candidates

Kyle O’Brien

  • Current job: Lions’ VP of player personnel
  • Interviewed? Completed
  • Date of interview: Week of December 7
  • Follow up interview: No

Lance Newmark

  • Current job: Lions’ director of player personnel
  • Interviewed? Completed
  • Date of interview: Week of December 7
  • Follow up interview: No

Rob Lohman

  • Current job: Lions’ director of player personnel
  • Interviewed? Completed
  • Date of interview: Week of December 7
  • Follow up interview: No

External candidates

Kevin Colbert

  • Current job: Steelers GM
  • Previous jobs: Lions pro scouting director (1990-99)
  • Interview? No
  • Date of interview: N/A
  • Follow up interview: No
  • Other teams interested: N/A

Ed Dodds

  • Current job: Colts assistant GM
  • Previous jobs: Colts VP of player personnel (2017), Seahawks personnel executive (2015-16), Seahawks national scout (2014), Seahawks college cout (2008-2013), Seahawks pro personnel department (2017)
  • Interview? Yes
  • Date of interview: 1/12
  • Follow up interview: No
  • Other teams interested: Panthers, but Dodds has removed himself from consideration

John Schneider

UPDATE: Signed extension with the Seahawks

  • Current job: Seahawks GM/executive vice president
  • Previous jobs: Packers personnel assistant to GM (2002-07) and director of football operations (2008-09)
  • Interview? No
  • Date of interview: N/A
  • Follow up interview: No
  • Other teams interested: One unnamed team is interested (per Rapoport)

Louis Riddick

  • Current job: ESPN analyst, MNF commentator
  • Previous jobs: Director of pro personnel for Eagles (2010-13), Washington (2005-07)
  • Interview? Completed
  • Date of interview: December 18
  • Follow up interview: No
  • Other teams interested: Texans (interviewed 12/16), Jaguars (interviewing 12/23)

Rick Smith

Scott Pioli

  • Current job: NFL Network & CBS analyst
  • Previous jobs: Falcons assistant GM (2014-19), Chiefs GM (2009-12), Patriots VP of player personnel (2002-08)
  • Interview? Completed
  • Date of interview: Week of December 21
  • Follow up interview: No
  • Other teams interested: None yet

Thomas Dimitroff

  • Current job: None (fired in October)
  • Previous jobs: Falcons GM (2008-20), Patriots director of college scouting (2003-07)
  • Interview? Completed
  • Date of interview: Week of December 21
  • Follow up interview: No
  • Other teams interested: None yet

Terry Fontenot

Brad Holmes

  • Current job: Rams director of college scouting
  • Previous jobs: Rams public relations, Rams scouting department (18 years)
  • Interview? Completed
  • Date of interview: 1/6
  • Follow up interview: YES (1/13)
  • Other teams interested: Falcons will reportedly interview

Jeff Ireland

  • Current job: Saints VP/assistant general manager of college personnel
  • Interview? Completed
  • Date of interview: 1/8
  • Follow up interview: No
  • Other teams interested: Panthers interested

George Paton

UPDATE: George Paton is taking the Broncos job

  • Current job: Vikings assistant GM
  • Interview? Completed
  • Date of interview: 1/6 (in person)
  • Follow up interview: No
  • Other teams interested:

Jerry Reese

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