Posted on 01/02/2008 1:17:25 PM PST by mainepatsfan
After 7-9 finish, Lions fire offensive coordinator Mike Martz
Associated Press
DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions reportedly fired Mike Martz on Wednesday, ending his fractious two years as the team's offensive coordinator.
Martz will be replaced by Jim Colletto, who will retain his position as offensive line coach while calling plays. Receivers coach Kippy Brown will serve as co-coordinator, the Detroit Free Press, Booth Newspapers and ESPN.com reported and NFL Network's Adam Schefter confirmed.
A message seeking comment was left Wednesday with Martz's agent, Bob LaMonte. The Lions had no comment on the reports, a team spokesman said.
Martz confirmed his firing to the Free Press.
"We fell short of what we wanted to do offensively, and I regret that," he told the newspaper.
The Lions finished 7-9 this season after a 6-2 start.
During two losing seasons in Detroit, Martz was unable to replicate the success he had during the "Greatest Show on Turf" years in St. Louis.
Martz coached the Rams from 2000-2005, including a Super Bowl loss in 2001. He used the same offense in Detroit, but it didn't translate into many wins for the Lions and head coach Rod Marinelli.
The Rams fired Martz on Jan. 2, 2006, the day after St. Louis finished 6-10. He sat out the last 11 games recovering from endocarditis, a bacterial infection of a heart valve.
(Excerpt) Read more at nfl.com ...
Well that will fix all the problems in Detroit. They should start making Super Bowl reservations for next year.
Bill Callahan is available...thank GOD!
Wow, that’s a good question. I have no clue on how to answer that. Heck, I don’t even know where to begin.
Did you ever see that Chicago Super Fans skit when they played Jeopardy? And the final question was “Da Bulls vs. Da Bears?”
yup, its all the coaches fault. keep changing everything on a yearly basis and expect something to happen overnight.
Please, someone, somewhere has photos of Matt Millen.... lord knows he has them on Ford...
My thoughts as well :)
Never understood that hire.
It certainly can’t be the GM’s fault. No of course not. /s
I guess the players weren’t responsible for that IMPRESSIVE 1-7 second half record. right? Matt Millen is an idiot and the Lions don’t improve UNTIL they get rid of him!
The Lions have been in purgatory for over half a century.
The real question is will there be a can’t miss superstar WR available at pick #15?
I’d take Martz back as OC of the Rams any day...FIRE SCOTT LINEHAN
Millen, especially if this is it for cleaning Lion Cub house (and I hope it is).
If there is one when the Lions are picking why wouldn’t he take another one at this point??
I thought for sure he’d get the ax.
Somehow I don’t think Kitna will be making another ten game win prediction next year.
You know Bill might make an NFL team a great OC...He just wasn’t cut out for Nebraska....we don’t wish him ill just not a good fit...
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