Detroit Lions: Defensive coordinator candidate emerges, per report
By Zac Snyder
According to a report, veteran coach Paul Pasqualoni has emerged as a target to join Matt Patricia’s Detroit Lions staff as defensive coordinator.
Matt Patricia hasn’t been officially named the head coach of the Detroit Lions but there is no doubt that will happen after the Super Bowl. Changes have already begun with the coaching staff and now names are emerging as possible replacements.
One of the biggest decisions Patricia right off the bat is choosing a defensive coordinator. According to a report from Ian Rapoport, Paul Pasqualoni has emerged as a target.
An intriguing future #Lions defensive coordinator target has emerged: Boston College DL coach Paul Pasqualoni. A mentor to Matt Patricia, Pasqualoni could take a job on the staff after the Super Bowl. Potentially his third stint as an NFL DC.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2018
A veteran coach, Pasqualoni is best known for his 14 seasons as the head coach at Syracuse from 1991-2004. Patricia served as a graduate assistant on the Syracuse staff from 2001-2003 before moving on to the New England Patriots.
Since being fired from the Syracuse job, Pasqualoni has spent most of his time in the NFL. He was the tight ends coach for the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 before moving to linebackers for 2006-2007. He moved on to become the defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins from 2008-2009, then rejoined the Cowboys the following season.
Pasqualoni got another shot as a head coach at Connecticut but was fired in the middle of his third season. He then returned to the NFL to coach the defensive lines in Chicago and Houston in 2014 and 2015. He is currently the defensive line coach at Boston College.
More on Paul Pasqualoni: His name was buzzing in Mobile, based on his past relationship with Matt Patricia. They haven’t spoken yet, but are expected to — about a senior position on the staff — when the #Lions officially hire Patricia.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2018
A hiring would make sense given Patricia’s familiarity with Pasqualoni, but also given Pasqualoni’s experience – not only as a defensive coach at the college and pro level but also as a head coach. That could make Pasqualoni an important resource for Patricia as he takes on a head coaching job for the first time. At 68-years old, it wouldn’t seem Pasqualoni has a long career ahead of him, but he could be just what Patricia needs to get going before making decisions for the long-term later.
Next: ESPN predicts Lions' 2018 win total
For more on Pasqualoni as a coach, Pete Thamal wrote a very good piece for Yahoo! Sports prior to this past college football season.