Lions to interview Titans' Schwartz today; Marinelli visits Bears

Lions to interview Titans' Schwartz today; Marinelli visits Bears
January 3
Detroit Free Press
"The Lions are expected to interview Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz today as they continue their coaching search.

They interviewed Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on Thursday.

The Titans and Giants have first-round byes. Teams can interview assistants on teams with first-round byes this week, under NFL rules.

Schwartz and Spagnuolo have drawn interest from other teams, and Spagnuolo, at least, seems like a long shot to land in Detroit. The Lions' odds might have been better had they hired Tom Heckert as general manager. Heckert, a Michigan native who does not have final say over personnel as the Eagles' GM, worked with Spagnuolo in Philadelphia.

Teams can interview assistants on teams with first-round games next week and assistants out of the playoffs at any time. They cannot offer an assistant a job until his season ends.

Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Dolphins secondary coach Todd Bowles and Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey reportedly are Lions' coaching candidates whose teams play this weekend.

Redskins secondary coach Jerry Gray and Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett are reported candidates whose teams are out of the playoffs. There were conflicting reports last night as to whether Garrett had withdrawn his name from consideration for the Lions job.

The Lions have not arranged interviews with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels or Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger.

Based on his list of candidates and his background, general manager Martin Mayhew, a former NFL cornerback, is leaning toward a defensive coach who can turn around the Lions' defense. The Lions ranked last in total defense the past two seasons, and this season the Lions' secondary recorded only one interception.

Frazier, Bowles and Gray all were NFL defensive backs. Frazier has worked under Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy, for whom Mayhew played. Bowles and Gray were teammates of Mayhew.

The Lions have said they will not confirm candidates. President Tom Lewand and spokesman Bill Keenist did not return messages Friday.

ROD TO BEARS? Former Lions coach Rod Marinelli visited the Bears on Friday and could join their staff. Marinelli is close to Chicago coach Lovie Smith. They broke into the NFL together as Tampa Bay assistants in 1996, even sharing a room at a Holiday Inn Express in the beginning.

"He's just visiting," Marinelli's agent, Frank Bauer, told the Chicago Sun-Times. "Rod has a number of opportunities and he is seeing Lovie and they're sitting down and talking. It's a visit. ..."

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