Early positive sign in the Lions coaching search

December 29, 4:05 PMDetroit Lions ExaminerChris Morgan

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The new face of the Detroit Lions? (Getty Images)

I have written quite a bit the past few days (and please feel free to check out my running commentary of the Packers game, my recap of the same game, my article on Marinelli's firing, and my article on the rash decision to hire Mayhew as the GM) so I will keep this rather short.

Early on in the coaching search, things are looking good. The Lions have received permission to talk to New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

Spagnuolo is the guy I want. When I write my "go all defense in the draft" plan for the Lions later this offseason, he was the guy I was going to suggest the Lions to hire. He is one of the best defensive coordinators in the league. He is great at getting a pass rush. Granted, he's got a lot better talent to work with in New York than he will in Detroit.  But if he gets to have a say in the 2009 draft, I reckon we will get somebody who can rush the quarterback.

The Lions had the worst defense in the history of time last season, they need to get defensive minds in there. Spagnuolo is the preeminent defensive mind in the league who isn't already a head coach or a lifelong coordinator type (Jim Johnson, Dick LeBeau, et al) and is exactly what the Lions need. If they get him, it will almost make up for the Mayhew hiring. Almost, I said, but not quite.

Now, the Lions can't hire him until the Giants are out of the playoffs, and other teams are of course going to take a run at him for their head coaching jobs as well.  But as long as things stay dormant on the Lions coaching hire front while the Giants are in the playoffs, I am going to hold out hope. Also, I will be rooting for the Giants to be out of the playoffs as soon as possible, but then again I would be doing that anyway as I don't like the Giants all that much.