The Detroit Lions are typically a team that keeps their cards close to their chest, but with principal owner Shelia Ford Hamp now in charge, the team has been slowly expanding its transparency.
Today, the Lions announced they have interviewed internal candidates Kyle O’Brien, Lance Newmark, and Rob Lohman for their vacated general manager position.
O’Brien, Lions’ current vice president of player personnel, was former GM Bob Quinn’s right hand the last four seasons. He has18 years worth of experience, working as a scout — both college and pro — in NFL front offices.
Newmark, Lions’ director of player personnel, has been with the Lions for 23 years and has seen the organization change over four general managers and 10 head coaches (including Interim coaches) during his time in Allen Park. Over the last two and a half decades, his background has focused mostly on scouting, both pro and college.
Lohamn, Lions’ director of pro scouting, is in his 14th year with the Lions — 20th year in the NFL — and as the title suggests, his scouting focuses mostly on the professionals. Like Newmark, he has survived multiple regime changes.
All three internal candidates seem like longshots for the position, but this is a good way for Hamp and the Lions search team to get experience interviewing candidates. As well as giving individuals who have shown an eye for identifying talent a shot at a larger role.
It’s worth noting that per NFL guidelines, the Lions are not permitted to interview any candidates currently working for another NFL team until that team’s season has come to a conclusion.
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