Matt Patricia, a defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, is now officially the new head coach of the Detroit Lions.
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This was one of the NFL's worst kept secrets. It was reported that Patricia was next in line to becoming Detroit's new main man, but simply had to wait for New England's season to be over with first. Semantics and legalities and all that jazz.
Patricia's colleague, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, is also reportedly set to join the Indianapolis Colts.
The Philadelphia Eagles became Super Bowl LII champions after defeating the New England Patriots, 41-33, on Sunday. With New England's season officially over, all assistants on staff are free game for opposing teams to poach.
New England and Philadelphia combined in their wild shootout to break the all-time total yards record with more than 1,000 yards. That's not exactly a favorable stat for the defensive-minded Patricia to be taking with him to Detroit, but he has the pedigree of being one of big bad Bill Belichick's guys on his resume, as well as regularly being touted as a solid defensive mind by NFL people in the know.
While New England loses its defensive mastermind, Detroit gains a new face of its franchise... and it has a beard.
Patricia had been with the Patriots since 2004. Oddly enough, he started his tenure as an offensive assistant. Prior to New England, he spent time with the Syracuse Orange in college.
