5 candidates to replace Matt Patricia as Lions head coach

After a legendary career at Boise State, Moore latched on with the Lions as an undrafted free agent quarterback for two seasons. After his playing career ended, Moore shifted to coaching, and he has become one of the most productive offensive coordinators in the league at the age of 32. Under his watch, Prescott almost threw for 5,000 yards, and Ezekiel Elliott sustained his elite production. That is the kind of schematic insight and genius that the Lions need right now, as even a solid OC like Darrell Bevell pales in comparison to Moore.

Hiring such a young coach has all the signs of a major risk, but it doesn’t look like the Rams and 49ers are regretting their young head coaches. Matthew Stafford might be on the wrong side of 30, but he is still a very productive quarterback that needs someone like Moore to kick him in the but and get him back to the upper tier of NFL starters. Hiring an experienced staff around him will be a necessity that could doom him if he fails, and the fact he was playing as recently as three years ago could give Detroit pause for thought, but his on the job performance has been exemplary so far, and he deserved a crack at this opening.