Despite outcries from angry fans and sport columnists, Coach Matt Patricia and General Manager Bob Quinn will be back in 2020, the Detroit Lions announced Tuesday.
The decision hardly was a surprise since Sports Illustrated reported Dec. 1 that the duo would return despite what turned into another typical Lions' season.
Mike O'Hara, a columnist for DetroitLions.com, writes that the two are returning with "a mandate for better results after two losing seasons."
The announcement was made to a select group of reporters.
Franchise 0wner and chairman Martha Firestone Ford, her daughter Sheila Ford Hamp and team President Rod Wood spoke about the decision and other plans on a background basis, O'Hara reports.
“We expect to be a playoff contender,” Ford said. “That means playing meaningful games in December.”