There’s going to be plenty of talk after this season ends of what the Detroit Lions ownership plans to do with maligned head coach Matt Patricia.
Nearly complete with his second year as head coach of the Lions, Patricia has gone a pedestrian 9-22-1 with no playoff appearances. While the collective sentiment among the fan base seems to be that a change is needed, there’s been no indication from team owner Martha Ford as to Patricia’s future in the Motor City.
Before this afternoon’s matchup agains the Tampa Bay Bucs at Ford Field, Patricia was seen talking with a group that included Martha and Sheila Ford and GM Bob Quinn.
Matt Patricia has been talking to Martha Ford and her daughter, Sheila, for at least 15 minutes on the sideline at Ford Field. Bob Quinn was in the conversation for a while too.
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) December 15, 2019
Patricia's pre-game conversation with owner Martha Ford and daughter Shiela Hamp Ford has been going on the better part of a quarter-hour with 40 minutes until kickoff.
— Justin Rogers | Detroit News (@Justin_Rogers) December 15, 2019
This apparently is a regular practice for Lions ownership, according to reporter Michael Rothstein:
Team owner Martha Ford and family members chatting with Lions HC Matt Patricia on the sidelines. This happens a lot of weeks before the game. pic.twitter.com/4LYcUiV4BN
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) December 15, 2019
However, the lengthy conversation apparently ended with plenty of love being doled out:
Lots of hugs as Matt Patricia ends his talks w/ Bob Quinn, Martha & Sheila Ford
— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) December 15, 2019
