Detroit Lions fans have long endured more than their fair share of heartbreak, and a new ranking just poured a little more salt in the wound.
A national NFL outlet recently released a list of the worst head coaching hires of the 21st century, and three former Lions coaches were featured — a harsh reminder of just how rough things got in the pre-Dan Campbell era.
While the list didn’t come as a surprise to most Detroit fans who lived through the losing, it still stings to see names like Matt Patricia, Rod Marinelli, and Marty Mornhinweg officially etched into NFL infamy.
Let’s be honest — each tenure was rough in its own way:
Matt Patricia (2018–2020) was supposed to bring a New England mindset and defensive genius to Detroit. Instead, he left with a 13-29-1 record, a fractured locker room, and a city full of frustrated fans.
Rod Marinelli (2006–2008)? Well, he’s forever linked to the infamous 0-16 season — the only one in NFL history until the Browns matched it. Despite his discipline and toughness, the results simply never came.
Marty Mornhinweg (2001–2002) posted a 5-27 record and once famously chose to take the wind in overtime — a decision that still lives in Lions meme history.
The good news? That chapter of Lions football feels like it’s finally closed. Under Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes, Detroit has flipped the script and become a legitimate contender with real identity and direction. But reminders like this serve as a powerful contrast — and a reason fans appreciate the present so much more.
Because if anyone knows how far this team has come, it’s the ones who suffered through those years.
Lions History Haunts: Trio of Ex-Coaches Named Among NFL’s Biggest Flops
