Detroit Lions don't plan to interview Matt Patricia a 2nd time

MOBILE, Ala. — With their future head coach deep into game-planning for another Super Bowl, the Detroit Lions won't bother bringing Matt Patricia in for a second interview this week.

The Lions haven't interviewed anyone since they met with Patricia on Jan. 5, and they apparently don't have any pressing new ground to cover with Patricia now that the job is his.

Patricia, who can't officially be hired until after the Super Bowl, already has a longstanding relationship with Lions general manager Bob Quinn — the two spent 12 years working together in New England — and he recently started the process of constructing his coaching staff behind the scenes.

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Within the last week, Patricia has phoned some members of the Lions’ 2017 staff to tell them he does not plan on retaining them next season.

Among the coaches who will not be back are linebackers coach Bill Sheridan and safeties coach Alan Williams. Quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan also will not be retained, according to reports, and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin (Cincinnati Bengals) and defensive line coaches Kris Kocurek (Miami Dolphins) and Matt Raich (Bengals) have taken jobs with new teams.

Patricia is expected to install and oversee a Patriots-type defense in Detroit, and he could revamp his entire defensive staff.

Cornerbacks coach Tony Oden is the lone defensive position coach whose status remains in limbo.

On offense, coordinator Jim Bob Cooter is expected to return, while tight ends coach Al Golden, wide receivers coach Robert Prince and assistant special teams coach Devin Fitzsimmons remain under contract and watched Senior Bowl weigh-ins with other team staffers on Tuesday.

The Lions' contingent spent Monday night meeting with draft prospects, though several players who sat down for interviews with the Lions said no coaches were involved in their meetings.

Houston Texans coach Bill O'Brien, who worked for the Patriots in 2007-11 and is coaching the South team at the Senior Bowl, said Tuesday the Lions are getting "an excellent coach" in Patricia, who'll try for his fourth Super Bowl win on Feb. 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Very, very smart," O'Brien said. "Really hard worker. I mean, a really hard worker. And they’re all like that in New England. They all work very, very hard. And he’s done a great job. He’s a guy that’s worked at the side of Bill (Belichick) for a long time now, so he’ll get his opportunity whether it’s in a couple of weeks or whether it’s in a year or two.

"I don’t really know what’s going on, but I think that he’s an excellent coach and obviously he’s done a great job in New England."

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Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

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