As a disappointing 2019 season nears its end for the Detroit Lions, team owner Martha Ford announced on Tuesday that both head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Dan Quinn will return for the 2020 season.
Detroit hired Quinn to take over as the team’s general manager in 2016 following his rise up the front office ranks with the New England Patriots. After the team finished 9-7 in consecutive seasons, Quinn fired Jim Caldwell at the conclusion of the 2017 season.
Quinn then went back to his roots for Detroit’s next head coach, hiring Patricia in February 2018. Reports emerged months later that he was already losing the locker room, though things seemed to settle down despite the team winning only six games.
The 2019 season has been an even greater disaster for Detroit. After winning two of their first three, the Lions have lost seven consecutive games and 10 of their past 11. After the team won nine games in 2016 and ’17, Patricia has combined for nine wins in two seasons.
Now, Patricia will get one more shot at redemption with his return as head coach in 2020. Mara and the fans will be hoping the team shows significant signs of progress next year.