Lions Lowdown

ALLEN PARK — When the Lions hired Matt Patricia as the new head coach, it had to be a good match both ways.

It certainly helps that Lions general manager Bob Quinn and Patricia worked together for a dozen years with the New England Patriots.

“My meeting with Bob and Rod (Wood) I felt very comfortable, I felt immediately when I walked in the room things just clicked on the same level,’’ Patricia said at his introductory press conference on Wednesday.

“Ideas, philosophies, the way you wanted an organization or a football team to be run — the mentality behind it was similar. I know Bob’s and my working relationship has been outstanding … My comfort level with Bob was huge in all of this,’’ Patricia added.

That comfort level was a huge factor, but it was not the only reason the decision was made. Five reasons Patricia was hired the Lions:

1. Quinn said they set out to find a head coach who had five characteristics: Integrity, leadership, intellect, work ethic and innovativeness. Patricia hit the mark with all five. Quinn characterized it as a “seamless” interview. In fact, Quinn and team president interviewed him twice in Massachusetts — once prior to the playoffs and once during the Super Bowl bye week. Patricia was one of five candidates they interviewed.

2. Patricia and Quinn do not want to recreate the “Patriot Way” in Detroit. “I think it’s hard to categorize ‘a way’ in general. Bob and I have a lot of experience and history together. We believe in a lot of the same things as far as when you look at and evaluate players, how a team should be run, how it should be coached,’’ Patricia said. “There’s a great background we both share. And a common ground as how we both envision a team being run. … When you’ve had success you can start to call it the ‘Lions way.”’

3. Quinn said the interviews validated what he thought of Patricia. “Overall Matt’s answers really  were just aligned with what I believe in and what I really believe will take us to that next level,’’ Quinn said. “Going through the interview process with other candidates, I didn’t know all of those guys personally, I knew a few of them. The 12 years we worked together — a lot of long hours, long drives to look at players, long conversations late at night about players, how would you do this, how did this guy play, can this guy fit in this scheme. … The interview process was really seamless. It was like we were back in his office talking football again.’’

4. Quinn said he didn’t have to sell Patricia on coming to Detroit for his first head coaching job. Quinn said the organization sells itself. “It starts with Mrs. Ford and her family, the support they give us is incredible. When we talk about going into a situation and trying to build a team and trying to build the organization back to where we want it, those are the easy selling points. I didn’t have to sell Matt on much,’’ Quinn said.

5. Their goal is the same. “Matt and I want to win now but we’re going to win the right way. We’re going to build from what we have currently and hopefully improve the roster every year,  every day, every week, every draft, every free agent period til we get where we want to be,’’ Quinn said. “We’re not putting timelines or timetables on when we’re going to win what, but we have great aspirations of what we want to do with this organization.’’

ALLEN PARK — Matt Patricia was introduced to Detroit as the Lions’ 27th head coach on Wednesday. He  said all of the right things.

It was all good. He’s a tireless worker, he loves the history and passion of Detroit. He’s not looking back at all the Lions’ failures. He is only focused on the future.

Mostly he wants to win.

“My goal is to help this organization, this fan base and this city to make it proud. I will work tirelessly to build a team that everyone around here can be proud of both on and off the field,’’ Patricia said.

The new coach, who spent the last six years as the Patriots’ defensive coordinator, is excited about his first NFL head coaching job.

He’s got his quirks too. After a few questions, he put a pencil behind his ear and said that he felt more comfortable. He seemed at ease under the spotlight, at the podium, answering questions.

Five things to know about Patricia from Wednesday:

1. He worked for Patriots coach Bill Belichick, but he is not Belichick. “He’s one of the most amazing coaches I’ve ever been around, the way he looks at the game, his vision of the game, the way he sees the game move and change before it actually does is unbelievable. There’s only one coach Belichick,’’ Patricia said. “He’s amazing, he’s in New England. I’m Matt Patricia, I’m kind of my own person, my own guy, I’ve got my own style but I certainly will take all the lessons I’ve learned from how to teach and coach, the fundamental beliefs that we had in New England.” He also thanked Belichick: “There are not enough words that I can put together to thank you for everything you have done for my family, my career, for me personally. I appreciate you and appreciate our time together so thank you.’’

2. Jim Bob Cooter will remain as his offensive coordinator. President Rod Wood said the decision was up to Patricia on which coaches remained on staff. Patricia was not forced to keep Cooter. “Obviously (Jim Bob) has done a great job here and what he’s been able to accomplish, both him and (Matthew) Stafford with the offense. He’s worked with a lot of guys I’ve worked with in the past and everyone speaks very highly of,’’ Patricia said. “I have a lot of respect for him because I’ve been on the other side of the ball going against him.’’

3. He’s not laying everything on the table the first day. Probably because there has been no time to make many decisions. Schemes are still up in the air. He would not say if the coordinators will do the play-calling. He will have a hand it in all. “You know the good thing about being a head coach is any time I want to call a play —  offense, defense or special teams I just call it. That will be pretty exciting for me,’’ Patricia said.

4. Patricia said becoming an NFL head coach has been a lifelong dream that started when he was playing electric football with his buddies as a kid. “I knew at a very young age the strategic part of the game was something I loved, I thrived on it,’’ said Patricia who started his coaching career as a grad assistant at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he played on the offensive line and earned a degree in aeronautical engineering.

5. He doesn’t really know the city of Detroit, but knows of it. “I’m very excited to be a part of this historic and passionate city. Your love for sports both professionally and collegiate is second to none and I take that passion seriously,’’ Patricia said. “This is a blue collar, grind-it-out community that thrives on hard work and achieving success through commitment, teamwork and never-give-up attitude we’ll strive to replicate that on the field. I’m truly excited for the Lions’ fan base.’’

It’s crazy to judge new Lions coach Matt Patricia on one game.

Patricia has been the Patriots’ defensive coordinator for six seasons. He’s helped them win three Super Bowls.

The Patriots’ defense was not at its best in the Super Bowl loss to the Eagles. No doubt about it. They gave up 538 yards, 373 of them in the air from Nick Foles.

(Photo courtesy of Detroit Lions)

Remember the Eagles are a very good team and Doug Pederson should have been coach of the year for finding his way to the Super Bowl podium without his starting quarterback, Carson Wentz.

Also, the Patriots defense was without starting cornerback Malcolm Butler. From all reports it was basically a game-time decision so Patricia was not prepared to go without one of his best players. Butler had played in 98 percent of the regular season snaps. Instead they went with Johnson Bademosi who wasn’t even good enough to start on the Lions’ secondary when he was in Detroit in 2016.

The biggest factor though, is that you can’t judge a coach on one game. What if the Patriots had pulled off a comeback win? The stats still would have been there — the Patriots gave up a ton of yardage along with 41 points.

From all accounts, Patricia is smart, dedicated and will give the Lions his all.

It’s just wrong to judge him on one game.