The Detroit Lions have already begun their search for a new head coach, and one of the interview requests they have reportedly put in is with Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Smith is one of four coaches the Lions have put in a request to interview with.
Other names on the list include San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh, Saints TEs coach, Dan Campbell, and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy.
This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, as Smith figures to be one of the hottest names for head-coaching vacancies this offseason after calling the plays for one of the most potent offenses in the NFL since Week 7 of last season.
The #Lions coaching search is off and running, as they have requested interviews with: #49ers DC Robert Saleh, #Saints AHC/TE coach Dan Campbell, #Titans OC Arthur Smith, and #Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 4, 2021
There are currently five head-coaching vacancies in the NFL, with the Lions, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans all looking for a new lead man.
In a report by Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo from Sunday, three of those teams — the Lions, Falcons and Texans — are expected to target Smith. Clearly the Lions have already started.
The Titans are no strangers to having their offensive coordinator poached, as the Green Bay Packers hired Matt LaFleur off Tennessee’s staff in 2019.
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