One thing is for sure, the Detroit Lions will have a new Sherriff in town for the 2018 season as head coach Jim Caldwell has been fired.
But just because Caldwell has been relieved of his duties does not mean the Lions are cleaning house. In fact, as of now, only offensive line coach Ron Prince has also been fired, which means there is a chance some of the other coaches and coordinators could stick around, depending on what the newly hired head coach decides to do.
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Well, if Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has anything to say about who the offensive coordinator will be in 2018, a familiar face will be sticking around.
According to Justin Rogers of the Detroit News, Stafford said on Monday that he prefers current offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter to keep his job.
“Jim Bob and I have a great relationship and ever since he’s had the opportunity to take the reins, this offense is moving in the right direction, in my opinion,” Stafford said. “I feel like I’m playing some of the best football of my career. So I would love to have the opportunity to keep working with him. He’s been good for us and good for me.”
Like Rogers noted, it’s not often that a quarterback comes out publically and gives his opinion on who the offensive coordinator should be, but that exactly what Stafford did.
Cooter, who is 33, has been with the Lions since 2014 when he was the hired as quarterback coach. He took over as offensive coordinator during the 2015 season and since then, Stafford has elevated his game to a new level.
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The one main dig on Cooter is that he has not been able to figure out the Lions running game. In 2017, the Lions were dead last in the NFL in rushing yards per game and in 2016, they were not much better as they ranked No. 30 in the league.
Whether or not Cooter will remain with the Lions in 2018 will be determined at a later date, but we now know who Matthew Stafford is backing.
