Building a Franchise 101: The Mayhew Method of Finding Coaches

Part 2 Coach Search

While under Matt Millen, the Detroit Lions employed 3 coaches: Marty Moringwheg, Steve Mariucci, and Rod Marinelli.  They all brought varying schemes and only had one common denominator: failure.  Besides Mariucci the others were first time HC’s.  I believe part of the problem was the lack of Coordinator talent the Lions employed.

Mayhew’s first line of business at turning around the Lions was to put forth a great Coaching staff.  Mayhew interviewed all kinds of coaches.  From experienced candidates as well as successful coordinators.  Mayhew ended up on Jim Schwartz.  Jim Schwartz was on the scouting and research department under Bill Belichick in the mid 1990’s.  Schwartz was currently the Tennessee DC, raining from 2001-2008.  Schwartz was hired because of his intelligence, pedigree of coaches he served under, football IQ, and ability to recognize talent and fit them into his scheme. 
With the HC hired it was time to bring in his wing men.  Mayhew wanted the coordinators to complement the HC and each other.  Gunther Cunningham was immediately hired.  He worked with Schwartz as the Titans LB coach.  He had also been the DC for the Chiefs and Raiders before this.  He also was the HC of the Chiefs for a few years.  Gunther fits Schwartz with his belief in the 4-3 defense as well as bringing the heat almost constantly.  Gunther brings intensity and a swagger that has not been seen inDetroit since the early 90’s.  A week later the Lions won a huge battle.  They acquired Scott Linehan to be the OC.  Linehan was being courted by a few teams.  He was the OC for the Vikings and Dolphins and was the HC for the Rams. 

Mayhew’s first task was done.  He had brought in a bright young coach and complemented him with Coordinators any football team would want.  Now it was time to turn the attention on a decimated roster.