Lions introduce Matt Patricia as new head coach

New Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia hugs Lions GM Bob Quinn during the introductory press conference.

Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn (left) and president Rod Wood listen on during the introductory press conference.

Lions new defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, right, in the crowd during the press conference.

New Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia answers questions from the media, with general manager Bob Quinn, left, and president Rod Wood in background.

Presently under contract, Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter is in the crowd for new head coach Matt Patricia's news conference.

New Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia answers questions from the media.

New Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia answers questions from the media.

From left, Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn, new head coach Matt Patricia, owner Martha Ford and president Rod Wood after the press conference.

Detroit Lions new head coach Matt Patricia (left) enters his introductory press conference with Lions general manager Bob Quinn at the Lions indoor practice facility in Allen Park.

Go through the gallery to learn more about presumed new Lions head coach Matt Patricia.

Patricia had been on Patriots head coach Bill Belichick's (left) staff since 2004, when he was hired as a coaching assistant. He's been New England's defensive coordinator since 2012.

Patricia has helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls, including in 2015 and 2017.

Patricia's unit this season ranked fifth in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing 18.5 points per game. The defense ranked 29th in yards allowed, at 366 per game.

The Patriots have held opponents for fewer than 20 points per game for four straight seasons under Patricia. That includes this season, despite allowing 30 or more points in three of the first four games this season. The Patriots allowed a league-best 14 points per game over the final 12 games.

Patricia ran the NFL's top scoring defense last season, which allowed just 15.6 points per game. It included allowing just six rushing touchdowns, which also was the fewest in the league.

Patricia spent 2006-10 as the team's linebackers coach, following two seasons of working on the offensive side of the ball.

Patricia was on the defensive staff when the Patriots led the NFL in turnover differential in 2012 (+25) and 2010 (+28). The 2010 mark is one of the best since 1970, tying the 2011 San Francisco 49ers for second best during that period.

Patricia gained coaching experience in college, first as a graduate assistant at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, his alma mater. He also spent two seasons as the defensive line coach at Amherst College, and three seasons as an offensive assistant at Syracuse.

Patricia took a break in his climb up the coaching ladder for two years, serving as an aeronautical engineer before joining the Amherst staff in 1999.

Patricia had a long working relationship with Lions general manager Bob Quinn. Patricia and Quinn were in New England together for 12 years, where Quinn served a number of roles, most recently as director of pro scouting before he was hired by the Lions in 2016.