Was the Lions’ coaching search a farce?

Even before the Detroit Lions fired head coach Jim Caldwell, Matt Patricia was already rumored to be on their radar. Though the Lions had to wait until Patricia was officially done with his playoff run with the Patriots, Detroit eventually got the man it was clear was their number one choice.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. If you think someone is going to be a good coach, you waste no time and you get them. And not many people would know Patricia better than general manager, and co-worker for 12 years, Bob Quinn.

But I’ve seen several accuse Quinn of cronyism, suggesting that Quinn gave Patricia the job simply because they’re friends, and implying that the five other interviews…