Detroit Lions coaching search: Latest candidates are defensive specialists

The Detroit Lions said Monday they will announce interviews as they happen for their vacant head coaching position. So far, seven candidates have emerged as legitimate replacements for Jim Caldwell. All seven have confirmed interviews, or the Lions have reportedly asked for permission for interviews.

Matt Patricia

Patriots defensive coordinator

The buzz: Patricia has emerged as the front-runner for the Lions job due to his deep ties with general manager Bob Quinn. He joined the Patriots as an offensive assistant in 2004, moved to linebackers coach in 2006 and has been the team's coordinator the last five years. An aeronautical engineering major at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Patricia is respected across the league for his brains, teaching ability and work ethic. He's also considered a top candidate for the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals are reportedly seeking an interview. The Patriots had the NFL's fifth-ranked scoring defense this year after leading the league in the category last season.

The scoop: Lions reportedly have requested permission to interview.

More: Lions GM Bob Quinn: New coach needed to 'help us win a championship'

Mike Vrabel

Texans defensive coordinator

The buzz: Another candidate with Patriots ties, albeit a different kind than Patricia. Vrabel played outside linebacker for the Patriots from 2001-08, when he won three Super Bowls. He’s considered a rising star in coaching circles, though he only just finished his first season as defensive coordinator. The Texans gave up the most points in the NFL this season, so that's a black mark on his resume. But the Ohio native and former Ohio State star has a commanding presence about him.

The scoop: Lions have reportedly requested permission to interview.

Steve Wilks

Panthers defensive coordinator

The buzz: Wilks emerged as an under-the-radar candidate last year when he interviewed for head-coaching jobs with the Los Angeles Rams and Washington. Eventually, he replaced Sean McDermott as defensive coordinator in Carolina after McDermott left to coach the Buffalo Bills. A long-time assistant for Ron Rivera, Wilks does have some head-coaching experience in college, where he went 5-6 in one season at Savannah State. He's an aggressive play-caller and respected figure in the locker room who's also a candidate for openings with the GIants, Bears and Colts.

The scoop: Lions have requested permission to interview.

Teryl Austin

Lions defensive coordinator

The buzz: The Lions' defensive coordinator for the last four seasons, Austin oversaw a unit that ranked third in the NFL with 32 takeaways this year. He rose to acclaim after the Lions had one of the league's most dominant defenses in 2014, and he's held things together on that side of the ball despite personnel problems. Austin has interviewed for nine head-coaching jobs over the last three seasons and is bound to land a job eventually.

The scoop: Austin will reportedly interview on Tuesday.

Pat Shurmur

Vikings offensive coordinator

The buzz: Shurmur is the only candidate on this list with prior NFL head coaching experience. He went 9-23 in two seasons with the Cleveland Browns and won a 10th game in his one week as interim head coach with the Philadelphia Eagles. A Dearborn native who played at Divine Child and Michigan State, Shurmur has done wonders with a Vikings offense that played Case Keenum at quarterback for most of this season and lost running back Dalvin Cook to a knee injury. The Vikings finished 11th in total yards and 10th in total points.

The scoop: He will interview with the Lions on Thursday, according to TwinCities.com.

Winston Moss

Packers associate head coach

The buzz: Moss has spent the past 30 years in the league as a player or coach. He has been a Packers assistant for 12 years and helped developed linebackers Nick Perry and Clay Matthews. He interviewed for the Oakland Raiders job in 2012, and has flown under the radar as a coaching candidate since. The Packers fired defensive coordinator Dom Capers on Monday, so Moss' future in Green Bay is uncertain.

The scoop: Lions have reportedly requested permission to interview Moss.

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!