JUST IN: Matt Patricia clarifies Jim Bob Cooter’s role with Detroit Lions

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On Wednesday afternoon, the Detroit Lions officially introduced Matt Patricia as their next head coach during a press conference held in Allen Park.

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Following an opening statement where he thanked his family, his former colleagues, his former players, Bob Quinn, Rod Wood, and the Ford family, Patricia fielded questions from the media. Overall, the Lions new head coach seemed to nail just about every question that came his way, though some answers were vague, with the exception of one.

When he was asked to give a one-word answer to clarify whether or not Jim Bob Cooter would remain the Lions offensive coordinator, Patricia’s answer was a bit unclear (and definitely more than one word).

From the Oakland Press:

“I’m Italian, so one word answers are a little difficult for me,” Patricia said. “Jim Bob is on staff and he will be here. Obviously, he’s done a great job with what he’s been able to accomplish with Stafford and the offense. He’s someone who has worked with a lot of guys I’ve worked with in the past, somebody everyone speaks highly of. I have a lot of respect for him being on the other side of the ball going against him. Look forward to working together.’’

After initially listening to that answer, many immediately assumed that it was not a done deal that Cooter was going to be the Lions offensive coordinator moving forward. But following the press conference, Patricia was asked about Cooter again and he made it very clear that he was still the Lions offensive coordinator.

From MLive:

“Jim Bob’s the offensive coordinator,” Patricia told MLive with a shake of the head Wednesday night. “There’s no issue there whatsoever. I guess it was lost in translation there somewhere.”

From Detroit Free Press:

“So Jim Bob, I’ve obviously coached against him a couple of times, I have a lot of people that have worked with him, I have a lot of people that he kind of worked under as they were coordinators,” Patricia said. “Like Brain Daboll, just guys that I’m very close with that I know him very well. So I respect him, I respect what he does. So I don’t — for me there was no real reason to make a change if I don’t think a change is necessary.”

So, it sounds like Matt Patricia has the main pieces to the puzzle in place. The question is, will those pieces make the Detroit Lions contenders in the near future?

Time will tell.