With the Detroit Lions eliminated from playoff contention after starting the season 6-3, Jim Schwartz is very much in danger of losing his job. If Schwartz is fired, there are a number of directions the Lions can go when hiring his replacement - we've picked out the five most likely candidates to take over in Detroit:
5. Lovie Smith
The former Bears HC is going to get a lot of attention this Spring, and he's on the shortlist for every NFL team looking for a new head coach. Smith has history in the NFC North, and the Lions will almost certainly reach out to Smith if (when) Jim Schwartz is fired.
4. Jon Gruden
Don't let Gruden's contract with ESPN fool you - he's back on the market. Gruden is quietly listening to offers, and while he has a number of suitors at the moment, Detroit's assets and potential make them a heavy favorite if the former Super Bowl-winner returns to the NFL.
3. Bill O'Brien
The Penn State head coach is starting to make eyes at the NFL, and his buyout clause has been reduced from about $20M to just around $6M. While that isn't cheap, O'Brien is currently negotiating a further reduction, and his near-miraculous efforts at Penn State hint at massive potential going forward. The Lions are reportedly closely monitoring O'Brien's situation, and if his buyout clause is reduced further, things will heat up quickly.
2. Brian Billick
Billick has been out of the game for a while now, but his resume instantly vaults him to the top of the pack. Billick won a Super Bowl with the Ravens back in 2001, but his versatility is what makes him such an alluring candidate for Detroit. Instead of implementing an outside system, Billick is one of the best at taking existing pieces and putting them together to create the best team possible. As soon as Schwartz gets fired, watch for the Lions to reach out to Billick.
1. Ken Whisenhunt
The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press have suggested that Whisenhunt has already been tabbed as Schwartz's replacement, and while he'll be in high demand this Spring (the Texans are also in hot pursuit), Whisenhunt has by far the best shot out of these candidates to be the next Lions head coach. Stay tuned!
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