Former Lions players weigh in on retaining OC Jim Bob Cooter

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Much has been made of the Detroit Lions’ expected decision to retain offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, despite the dismissal of head coach Jim Caldwell and former defensive coordinator Teryl Austin’s decision to leave for Cincinnati earlier in January.

However, former Lions players as well as former coaches-turned-analysts have have discussed the expected decision and have nothing but positive things to say about Cooter’s time in Detroit thus far, as well as his influence on franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford.

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Former Lions All-Pro receiver Herman Moore endorsed the move, stating that Detroit’s main focus should be fixing their running game, currently stuck in the NFL’s basement.

I like it. I think (Cooter’s) done OK,” Moore said. “To say he’s set the world on fire, I wouldn’t go that far. But there’s always room for improvement no matter what. With Jim Bob, I think what you see is the progress they’ve made offensively. And it’s going to be greater if they can solve the running back issue.” 

Former Detroit Lions backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky also praised the move, stating that the trust between Cooter and Stafford is noticeable, and translates into success on the field.

“I think bringing him back makes a lot of sense,” he said. “They’ve seen the whole massive turnover before, and it’s been unsuccessful. The fact is that Matthew has had a really good couple years, and a guy like Jim Bob is part of that, and a guy like (former quarterback coach Brian Callahan) is a part of that, and guy like me was a part of that. And now you’ve taken a couple of those variables out.”

“There’s such a big thing for the success of a quarterback – to have the trust of the people in his room. To be able to be open and honest, and to learn from them. And vice versa – for them to have the comfort to say things that he needs to hear. And so there has to be a healthy relationship there, and I think Jim Bob affords that.” 

Former Lions quarterback Charlie Batch didn’t endorse the Lions parting ways with Callahan, who oversaw good development in Stafford.

“I really thought they should have kept the quarterback coach because of the way Stafford was playing,” he said. 

In the two years under Cooter and Callahan, Stafford threw 53 touchdowns with just 20 interceptions, with the 10 picks each year being the lowest in any of his nine-year career. Callahan is now the quarterbacks coach of the Oakland Raiders. 

Legendary Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy also weighed in, saying that because Stafford his happy, the Lions are as well.

“I’ve talked to Matthew Stafford, he spoke tremendously, highly about him,” Dungy said. “So I know they’re happy to have him still there.”

Dungy had also discussed Detroit’s firing of Caldwell, which he called “disappointing”.

“Well, it’s disappointing,” Dungy said. “They didn’t win enough, I guess. I went through that in Tampa and you always feel like you can bring someone else in who can win more. But Jim Caldwell, I think, turned that team around. He brought a class to the organization. They’re doing things the right way. I think they’re close. It’s always disappointing to me when any coach loses their job.”

The Lions are expected to name current New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as their next head coach following Super Bowl LI.