ALLEN PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) — Detroit Lions Head Coach Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn are returning to the team in 2020, Owner Martha Firestone Ford told some reporters on Tuesday.
“We expect to be a playoff contender,” Ford said, according to DetroitLions.com. “That means playing meaningful games in December.”
- Matthew Stafford placed on injured reserve, ending his season
- Lions coach Matt Patricia plans to keep showing up to work
The Lions are currently 3-10-1 this season and were 6-10 last season. They have lost seven games in a row, the first time in seven years, and 10 of the last 11 games.
On Monday, Patricia spoke to reporters and said, “I just expect to be here every day until they tell me not to. Hopefully, that’ll be a long time.”
The Lions announce Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia will return next year.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 17, 2019
Sheila Ford Hamp said it wasn't an easy decision to bring back Quinn and Patricia, saying that it they knew many people wanted both of them fired.
"That would have been the popular choice, the popular decision, and we knew that," Ford Hamp told beat reporters. "But as I say, we’re doing what is right for the organization."
Sheila, Martha and team President Rod Wood said that injuries have had an impact on the team this season, but also said they expect Patricia to make changes with his assistants.
According to the reports, Wood and the Fords began thinking about Patricia's and Quinn's futures around Thanksgiving, and informed them at 10 a.m. Tuesday they would be staying on.
Wood also said that the team would not raise ticket prices going into the 2020 season.
“We really want our fans to continue to support the team,” Wood said, “and we want Ford Field to be full and be the home-field advantage that it can be.”
