Matt Patricia

Current job: Defensive coordinator, New England (2012 to present).

NFL job log: Has worked his way up the Patriots coaching ladder since joining the staff in 2004 as an offensive assistant. He was an assistant offensive line coach (2005), linebackers coach (2006-10) and safeties coach (2011), before taking over as coordinator in 2012.

Detroit connection: Bob Quinn joined the Patriots in 2000, and worked in various roles in their front office until signing on to be Detroit's general manager after the 2015 season. He and Patricia spent 12 seasons together with the Patriots organization. 

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Specialty:** Patricia is one of those guys who tends to be the smartest one in the room after receiving a degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Aeronautical Engineering. He's a film junkie, and plays a huge role in developing the defensive game plan on a week-to-week basis. He's been Bill Belichick's right-hand man in New England since taking over as defensive coordinator in 2012.

Career highlight: The three Super Bowl rings Patricia owns is a good start. His defenses have ranked in the top 10 in points allowed every year he's been the coordinator in New England. They were ranked No. 1 in 2016.

Tim Twentyman's take: He doesn't have any head coaching experience, but Detroit's biggest problem the last two seasons has been their inconsistency on the defensive side of the ball. Patricia does a terrific job game-planning from week to week based off the opponent's strengths and weaknesses on offense. New England's ranked in the top 10 in points allowed in each of the last six seasons. The Lions could use that kind of consistency on defense.

Mike O'Hara's take: There are good reasons that coaches with ties to the Patriots – currently or in the past – are considered potential head coaches. Nobody wins as big as the Patriots, and their preparation and desire to win are unmatched. Patricia is another hot candidate with an impressive resume who could upgrade a defense immediately.