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Report: Lions tell other coaching candidates they're out of running

A look at how first-year Detroit Lions head coaches have fared since 1978. Video by Ryan Ford/DFP Wochit

The Detroit Lions can’t yet publicly declare a winner, but their search for the 27th head coach in franchise history is for all practical purposes over.

According to Sports Illustrated’s MMQB microsite, the Lions have informed candidates who’ve been eliminated from the search that they are going in another direction with the expectation that New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will be their next head coach.

Patricia, the last candidate to interview with the Lions on Jan.