Unsurprisingly the Lions failed to make any significant headway Tuesday, even when it was announced that they dismissed six coaches in the wake of a 3-12-1 season.
ALLEN PARK — The Ford family agreed to bring back Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia for 2020, but mandated changes for the coaching staff. Two days after the finale, Patricia has given it to them.
Patricia announced he is parting with six assistants, including linebackers coach Al Golden, defensive backs coach Brian Stewart, tight ends coach Chris White, special teams coordinator John Bonamego, performance coordinator Harold Nash and assistant strength and performance coach Rodney Hill.
Notably missing from that group is defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni who despite being able to lead the Lions to a top-10 defense in 2018, managed to come within only 64 yards of setting a record for the worst defensive season in franchise history.
Aside from the defense from an all-purpose standpoint, individual players also struggled under Pasquaoloni this season. Linebacker Jarrad Davis statistically speaking was one of the worst at his position in 2019 while Darius Slay was on an island all by himself (for the most part) as Rashaan Melvin and Justin Coleman didn’t do much to deter opposing QB’s from looking in their direction. In fact, Coleman managed to forfeit 856 yards in coverage according to Mlive.
Needless to say, unless the Lions dominated on defense in 2018 and sat atop the NFL statistically there’s really no reason for Pasqualoni to return, in the very least.
