As the Detroit Lions gear up for a promising season, it's worth reflecting on the team's journey, particularly the era under former head coach Matt Patricia. Patricia helmed the Lions during a tumultuous period that ended with his firing late in the 2020 season, marking the rise of the Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell regime. But this isn't the end of Patricia's football story. He's making headlines again, but this time, it's for a very different role—one in the media.
Matt Patricia is transitioning from the sidelines to the studio, joining The 33rd Team, a football think tank led by Mike Tannenbaum, a longtime NFL general manager. Interestingly, Patricia's mentor, Bill Belichick, is also part of this team. This change is particularly noteworthy given Patricia's rocky relationship with the media during his tenure in Detroit.
Jeff Risdon from USA Today elaborates on Patricia's new venture. "Patricia has bounced around coaching stops since the Lions canned him late in the 2020 season. Now he's given up coaching for a new opportunity in the media." Risdon also mentions that Patricia appeared on CNBC to promote his new gig, appearing noticeably slimmer.
The former head coach's tenure with the Lions was marred by claims of micromanagement and a struggle to adapt to modern NFL strategies. As Risdon puts it, the 2020 Lions under Patricia "badly flamed out." However, from the ashes of that season, a new regime arose, leading to the hopeful circumstances we see today.
The move to a media role seems almost ironic, given Patricia's historically contentious relationship with journalists. Nonetheless, this twist adds another layer to his multifaceted career. Transitioning from a coach who habitually clashed with the media, to becoming one of its members, is indeed a significant turn of events.
While some fans might still reminisce about Patricia's turbulent years in Detroit, others may find his new role a fresh start and a chance for him to offer insightful perspectives from his vast coaching experience. Whether you loved or loathed his coaching style, one thing is clear: Matt Patricia knows football, and now he gets to share that knowledge with a broader audience in a new and, perhaps, more forgiving arena.
As the Lions prepare for what fans hope will be a standout season, it's intriguing to watch Patricia's evolution from the struggles of head coaching to potentially thriving in a media landscape designed by and for football insiders.
What other sites are saying about this topic
Former Lions coach Matt Patricia is now part of the media from Jeff Risdon, USA Today
Former Lions coach Matt Patricia is now part of the media from Lions Wire