SHEILA FORD HAMP

The party in Downtown Detroit gave everyone a small glimpse into what draft weekend will be like 24 months from now.

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp has been appointed to the board of directors for USA Football, the governing body of the sport which helps set standards for youth, high school and adult amateur players. “I am thrilled to join USA Football’s board of directors,” Hamp said in a written statement released through the Lions. “USA Football’s mission of growing and expanding the game of football directly aligns with what we are doing at the Detroit Lions. Now Hamp is adding some national-level duties to her plate at USA Football. “We are pleased to have Sheila join our USA Football family as a board member,” USA Football CEO and executive director Scott Hallenbeck said in a statement.

DETROIT -- Jared Goff threw away the football on fourth down the last time he played at Ford Field. And considering the day featured a 44-6 bloodletting against an awful Philadelphia Eagles team, that is saying something. Then after Philadelphia tacked on another touchdown to open the second half, Goff, well, did whatever it is Goff does on fourth down. On his second play of the season, Blough was strip-sack’d. He wasn’t even tested by Jared Goff until the second quarter, when Slay dropped Amon-Ra St. Brown after a modest 5-yard gain short of the sticks.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions made legendary linebacker Chris Spielman the 19th member of their Pride of the Lions during halftime of the Week 8 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Barry Sanders introduced Spielman before those in attendance at Ford Field to cheers before rolling through the linebacker’s long list of accomplishments. There were an announced 40 former Lions players, owner Sheila Ford Hamp and others on the field to celebrate the linebacker. Spielman kept his remarks brief, thanking his teammates and promising that better days are ahead for Lions fans. Related: Halftime analysis: Detroit Lions deserve all the boos for ugly start against lowly EaglesThis post will continue to update

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ALLEN PARK -- For those up in arms when word breaks either Rod Wood or Sheila Ford Hamp participated in a football-related meeting, buckle up because the Detroit Lions love this new era of collaboration. Disner, Holmes and Campbell report directly to Wood and Ford Hamp, eliminating a layer of communication from the previous regime. I would love for us to be a team here, like a legit team. For what is the best for the Lions organization.’ She’s been nothing but outstanding. When you have an owner that wants to be involved in that, but yet she’s just like Sheila is?

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit could host a future NFL draft, with Lions president Rod Wood saying he hopes the city is a “serious contender” for hosting duties in 2024. Kansas City will host in 2023, leaving the door open for Detroit and others to get in on the action come 2024. “We’re hoping to be a serious contender for the 2024 draft, and we’re still in the mix for that,” Wood said. The last NFL draft to occur under more normal circumstances happened in Nashville back in 2019. Wood and the Lions reportedly sent a crew to study how they worked to host the event that year.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions aren’t just trying to build a team. They want good players, of course, but they also want players who can help build a culture. And it didn’t take long to see it during his introductory news conference in Detroit. I feel like when everybody believes in it, like everybody is already, good things are going to happen. Defeat anything, accomplish anything.”Words can’t really do him justice, so here is Jamaal Williams in all his glory.

ALLEN PARK -- Sheila Ford Hamp had one request for new Detroit Lions defensive lineman Charles Harris. It’s laugh and giggles, like ‘haha,’ just go get the quarterback, ‘haha,’” Harris said of his interaction with Ford Hamp. “I think that’s something I’m looking to capitalize on and looking to do to get done. “I think that’s kind of what us in the defense try to more so do, and that’s to have a 3-4/4-3 look,” he said. I think that’s something as a defensive player you really respect, respect getting straight to the point.

But the Lions went with the Rams’ package instead, preferring to take multiple first-round picks instead of just the one -- even if those first-rounders were in 2022 and 2023. Then he popped in the tape from the Stanford game, and needed just two series to know Goff had to be the guy. The Rams hit a wall, coach Sean McVay grew frustrated and Goff was benched for the start of the playoffs. With respect to where we’re at at seven overall, with the draft, and regarding the quarterback position — like I told you guys, and the position hasn’t changed. “The quarterback position is very important, and if the value’s there and the right guy’s there, he’d be in heavy consideration.

ALLEN PARK -- William Clay Ford wasn’t very involved with the Detroit Lions during his final years as owner of the team. Sheila Ford Hamp is even sitting in on offensive and defensive meetings heading into the start of free agency on March 17. She’s sat in two days of offensive free agency meetings and defensive free agency meetings.”Owners have different styles across the league. I was like, ‘Let’s go!’ Felt like I talked to a head coach before a game. And by the way, let’s help bring in more talent with former head coach Dom Capers as a senior assistant.

Lynn, the former Chargers head coach, replaces Darrell Bevell as the offensive playcaller. That includes assistant general manager Ray Agnew senior personnel executive John Dorsey, both of whom were officially announced today. So while the Lions have hired a first-time general manager (Brad Holmes) and first-time full-time head coach (Campbell), they’ve surround both men with loads of experience, including between the lines. “I think players will respect what (Campbell’s) saying because they know that he’s been there, and he’s done it. DeLeone decided to leave Chicago after he was passed over for the defensive coordinator job when Chuck Pagano retired.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are looking for a new quarterback for the first time since 2009. Now they’re closing in on adding a whole lot of experience to that search, with former Chiefs and Browns general manager John Dorsey expected to join the front office according to NFL Network. Now the Lions are adding a whole lot more experience to that leadership group by wooing Dorsey out of Philadelphia. Dorsey went on to become Kansas City’s general manager in 2013, and added another young quarterback while Alex Smith was still going strong in 2017. He was quickly hired as the Cleveland Browns’ general manager in 2018, and many believed he would pick Sam Darnold and Josh Allen with the No.

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions officially introduced Dan Campbell as their new head coach Thursday. New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and other members of that organization, including head coach Sean Payton, gave positive feedback about Campbell as a leader and potential head coach. “Dan stood out.”She said he sent them a book ahead of the interview, and it contained his ideas and philosophies if he were to become the head coach. “He said, ‘Dan is the kind of head coach that coaches are going to run to Detroit and want to be on his staff. That’s gonna be the mentality.”Working environmentCampbell talked extensively about his time with the Saints, where he served as Payton’s assistant head coach and the tight ends coach.

ALLEN PARK -- Dan Campbell, the new head coach of the Lions, will address reporters in Detroit for the first time Thursday morning. Campbell is scheduled to be joined by team owner Sheila Ford Hamp and president Rod Wood at an 11 a.m. introductory press conference. Holmes, Campbell and Mike Disner, the vice president of football operations, will report to Ford Hamp and Wood. -- Ford Hamp on the rift with Calvin Johnson: “I hope we can repair things with Calvin Johnson. -- Campbell was sold on Ford Hamp after the first 10 minutes of his interview.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have their new general manager, and now it’s time to meet the man that will help form the franchise into the next era. Related: Detroit Lions tout new GM Brad Holmes’ expertise with latest technology, analyticsThe Lions interviewed 12 candidates for their general manager position, but Holmes was the lone applicant to receive a second interview. The NFL Network reports Dan Campbell will be named Detroit’s new head coach on Wednesday, wishing to do exit interviews with his players in New Orleans first. Once again, calling it a “collaborative relationship.” Holmes and the team’s new head coach will report directly to Ford Hamp and Wood. “Couldn’t be more excited to work with a group like this.”Holmes adds that Chris Spielman has a heart of gold who is beyond focused on making the Detroit Lions better.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions interviewed 12 men with varying backgrounds and specialities for their vacant general manager position. And a day later, the Lions officially announced Brad Holmes as their new general manager. “On behalf of the entire Lions organization, I am thrilled to welcome Brad Holmes to Detroit,” said Sheila Ford Hamp, after making her first major hire as owner of the team. (As a team, Detroit had seven picks. “There was a young man, Brad Holmes, first time presenting, (and he did an) unbelievable job.

ALLEN PARK -- It’s time to get familiar with five quarterbacks who could make sense for the Detroit Lions in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Lions quarterback remains under contract through 2023, but that last season is a voidable deal, giving both sides flexibility. NFL mock draft roundup: Receivers, EDGE rushers popular choice for Detroit LionsSee below for five quarterbacks to track ahead of April’s draft, with some options for the No. 7 pick and later rounds in mind:Justin Fields, QB, Ohio StateWhen Justin Fields is clicking, he really looks the part of future NFL starting quarterback. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota StateIt’s easy to forget about Trey Lance during bowl season thanks to North Dakota State’s standing as North Dakota State.

(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)DETROIT – It’s the first day of the offseason for the Detroit Lions, and they’ve reportedly requested interviews with four potential head coaching candidates. Dan Campbell -- assistant head coach and tight ends coach for the New Orleans Saints. He was named the defensive coordinator for the 49ers in February 2017 and was instrumental in the 2019 Super Bowl run. He is 41 years old and considered one of the top head coaching candidates on the market. Since joining the Titans in 2011, Smith has been a defensive intern, administrative assistant, defensive quality control coach, offensive quality control coach, offensive line assistant, tight ends assistant, tight ends coach and offensive coordinator.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- It’s easy to understand the backlash to the firing of Brayden Coombs. “Cmon.”It’s easy to understand the backlash because Coombs was in charge of one of the few good things left in Detroit. He walked into Allen Park telling Lions players they were soft and didn’t know how to play real football. “(Spielman) is helping us build a Detroit Lions culture throughout the entire organization,” team president Rod Wood said. Perhaps if this were a one-off mistake, the Lions might be more keen to give Coombs some grace.

ALLEN PARK -- Former Lions great Chris Spielman was approached by multiple teams over the years. He still holds the team record for tackles and was here for some of the best Lions teams of the Super Bowl era, including starring for the last squad to win a playoff game (1991) and division title (1993). The Lions have tried all kinds of general managers and coaches over the years, and all of them have failed. “Chris Spielman has been a tremendous ambassador for the Detroit Lions since the day he first put on a uniform as a rookie in 1988,” Hamp said in a written statement. Everybody has to know what our culture is, and you can’t waiver from that culture.

ALLEN PARK -- Chris Spielman, the new assistant to Detroit Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp and team president Rod Wood, will address reporters for the first time Tuesday afternoon. Hit refresh to keep up:-- Rod Wood opening the press conference“Initially, he’ll be incredibly involved in our coaching and GM search,” Wood says. Spielman, sitting in front of an old Detroit Lions helmet from the 1990s, says he feels completely in synch with Wood and Ford Hamp. But, I do know this business and how this works.”Says it doesn’t hurt to have a brother in this phase of the business -- Minnesota Vikings general manager Spielman. Felt it was important to bring him in before the coach and GM search went deeper.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have struck out for years, for decades, on their searches for people capable of turning around the longest loser in professional football. The Lions announced on Tuesday they’ve hired former linebacker Chris Spielman as a special assistant to owner Sheila Ford Hamp and team president Rod Wood, while Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders will join two others as part-time advisors to the search for general manager and head coach. He will report directly to Rod Wood and participate in interviews for the team’s next general manager and head coach. “Chris Spielman has been a tremendous ambassador for the Detroit Lions since the day he first put on a uniform as a rookie in 1988,” Hamp said in a written statement issued through the team. “The opportunity to work with Rod Wood and every single person in the Lions organization can’t get here fast enough.

DETROIT – Aaron Rodgers ran for a tiebreaking score in the third quarter and threw three touchdown passes and the Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions 31-24 Sunday and clinched the NFC North title. The Packers clinched the division with the win and Minnesota’s loss to Tampa Bay earlier in the day. The Packers’ win combined with the Saints’ loss in Philadelphia gives Green Bay the top seed in the NFC. The Lions (5-8) scored first and pulled into a tie late in the second quarter, but they simply couldn’t stop Rodgers. He also threw a 14-yard TD pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s back shoulder to put the Packers ahead 14-7 in the opening minute of the second quarter.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have begun the process of replacing Bob Quinn by interviewing three internal candidates for the general manager position. Vice president of player personnel Kyle O’Brien, director of player personnel Lance Newmark and director of pro scouting Rob Lohman have all interviewed for general manager, according to the team. Newmark is the longest-serving candidate of the three, originally joining the Lions’ player personnel department in 1998. Lohman joined the Lions’ personnel department in 2007 and has worked with both the college and pro games. The Lions have declined to put a timetable on their search, but are expected to hire a general manager before addressing the head coaching vacancy.

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions defeated the Chicago Bears Sunday at Soldier Field. It was the first game the Lions played since Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn were removed as head coach and general manager. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell was named interim head coach. The general manager position, as of Dec. 6, is still vacant. READ: 4 candidates for next Detroit Lions head coachThe Detroit Lions will next play the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field Dec. 13.

DETROIT – As the Detroit Lions begin its search for the next head coach, some Michigan legislators banded together to weigh in on their choice for the position. Nearly 40 state lawmakers signed their name on a letter thanking owner Sheila Ford Hamp for the change, also urging her to hire San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator and Dearborn-native Robert Saleh. Read: Bipartisan Michigan lawmakers endorse Robert Saleh as next Lions coachThe idea of the letter came from Rep. Abdullah Hammoud. “When you think about Robert coming home, Henry Ford’s hometown, he went to the high school that Henry Ford built. Ultimately, it’ll be up to the new general manager to hire a new head coach.

In an open letter to the Detroit Lions, a group of Michigan lawmakers are endorsing Dearborn native and 49ers defensive coach Robert Saleh as the team’s next head coach. For many in our state, and across the globe, the Detroit Lions hold a special place in our lives. We look forward to future success through transitioning to a new manager and head coach.”“Speaking of head coach, we have one name in mind — Robert Saleh,” the letter continues. Ultimately, it’ll be up to the new general manager to hire a new head coach. More: 4 candidates for next Detroit Lions head coach

ALLEN PARK -- Deshaun Watson ripped the Detroit Lions apart on Thanksgiving, delivering the final blow to Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn’s tenure. While this will sound dark to some, a group of fans has shown their appreciation by rushing to the Texans quarterback’s charity to thank him for his role. Houston beat the Detroit Lions 41-25 on Thanksgiving, and it wasn’t even that close. One of the ideas to catch fire was to donate $13 in honor of each of Patricia’s wins while in Detroit. The “Deshaun Watson Foundation” focuses on education, health, housing and other issues facing families and children in underserved communities.

ALLEN PARK -- The Ford family has fired a coach or two in their days running the Detroit Lions, but it hasn’t happened midseason much. Matt Patricia’s dismissal represents the first firing with games left on the slate since Steve Mariucci’s after Thanksgiving in 2005. He was dismissed along with Lions general manager Bob Quinn, with first-year owner Sheila Ford Hamp saying the team’s last two losses were the final straw. Detroit Lions fire coach Matt Patricia, GM Bob Quinn -- ESPNCurrent and former Lions players rejoice over Matt Patricia’s firing on social media -- Yahoo! SportsLions fire Matt Patricia: Five coaching candidates Detroit should target for their next head coach -- CBS SportsThe next Lions GM?

ALLEN PARK -- Lions president Rod Wood will remain in his role, but owner Sheila Ford Hamp left the door open for “some organizational chart moves” to occur in the future. This news comes after Detroit fired coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn on Saturday. “I have no plans to change what Rod is doing,” Ford Hamp said. Related: Ex-Lions players don’t hold back in aftermath of Matt Patricia, Bob Quinn’s firingSFH and Rod Wood addressed players directly earlier today. — kyle meinke (@kmeinke) November 28, 2020He was involved in the search that hired Quinn as general manager back in 2016.

Obviously Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn were in a tenuous spot before the season even began. The Lions finished that season 1-4, then launched a coaching search that ended with the hiring of Rod Marinelli. Hamp was joined by Wood and Bevell in announcing the moves to players during a Zoom call on Saturday afternoon. Hamp did not narrow the pool at all during repeated questioning, including saying a college coach could be in play. No matter what happens, the Lions’ first-year owner has already ignited the organization’s largest shakeup in at least two decades.

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp and team president Rod Wood will address reporters in the aftermath of the team firing their head coach and general manager. Ford Hamp and Wood are schedule to speak at 4 p.m. to address the dismissal of Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn. No plans to change what Wood is going, but Ford Hamp says they are looking at some organizational movement. “It clearly wasn’t working.” Ford Hamp says while crediting the work ethic of Quinn and Patricia. “We can’t hide our past, that’s for sure,” Ford Hamp said when asked about the franchise’s history.

DETROIT -- Matt Patricia has survived Black Friday, although it remains unclear whether he’ll still be the Lions’ coach for next week’s game in Chicago against the Bears. That’s really where I stay.”Column: America is laughing at the Lions, and it’s time for Sheila Ford Hamp to speakHow long Patricia will be allowed to stay remains unclear. Then again, the pandemic continues to rage throughout the country and especially in Michigan, which could make first-year owner Sheila Ford Hamp reticent to start making changes in leadership with just five games to go. And the Lions have done an excellent job handling the pandemic under Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn. Detroit hasn’t fired a coach midseason since letting go of Steve Mariucci after a Thanksgiving loss in 2005.

Yes, that’s really Sheila Ford Hamp, the billionaire owner of the Detroit Lions, literally facepalming while her team melts down in front of the entire country. It’s time for Sheila Ford Hamp to pull her hands off her face and speak up. Whether that means firing Matt Patricia now or on Jan. 4 is up to her, and honestly it doesn’t make that much of a difference. Matt Patricia has been a dead man walking since that Panthers game, so we don’t have to throw more dirt on him here. But right now, with her coach’s fate already sealed, and already facing a daily barrage of questions about it that he can’t answer, now is the time for Sheila Ford Hamp to speak up.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions took a moment during Friday’s practice to present Sheila Ford Hamp with the game ball from her first win as team owner. Lions coach Matt Patricia gathered the team around Ford Hamp after the stretching portion, with some words and applause per the pool report from practice. Owner Sheila Ford Hamp was in attendance. The receiver added that the game ball would look good with her name on it somewhere in Ford Hamp’s home. “More so just giving her a game ball for, you know, for her first win,” Golladay said.

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are once again mired in irrelevance and dragging their feet as other teams around the National Football League take action and demand better from their head coaches and executives. Matt Patricia during a Detroit Lions fourth quarter collapse against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 13, 2020. Jim Schwartz took the Detroit Lions from 0-16 to the postseason by his third year. In the opening game, the Lions led the Chicago Bears 23-6 with under 14 minutes to go. Bob Quinn General Manager of the Detroit Lions introduces Matt Patricia as the Lions new head coach at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan.

Terry Bradshaw didn’t hold back when it came to the Detroit Lions on Fox NFL Sunday this morning. Bradshaw outright called for the firing of Lions coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn. They made it right, right off the bat. Ford Hamp was asked about her expectations when taking over and said they remain the same. “I don’t want to say anything about wins and losses,” Ford Hamp said, “the overarching thing is that we want to see major improvements.

Q: What are the odds the Fords would fire Matt Patricia by the bye week? But I don’t feel too bad about that, because I don’t think Tracy Walker gets it either. But so does everyone else on the Lions defense. I don’t know. -- @koenighoopsA: I don’t think the Lions are doing themselves any favors with their playcalls.

DETROIT Leadership of the Detroit Lions is changing, but staying within the Ford family, as Sheila Ford Hamp takes over for her mother, Martha Ford. She said even though leadership is staying within the Ford family, there will be a new voice at the top. Mrs. Ford brought a hands-on style to Lions as owner: https://t.co/eF9sRlpcJs pic.twitter.com/86lilobMcH Detroit Lions (@Lions) June 23, 2020The Lions selected Jeff Okudah, a cornerback from Ohio State, with the No. Mr. Fords ownership grew into a deeply-rooted family tradition that now includes multiple generations of the Ford Family. She also serves on the NFLs Super Bowl and Major Events Committee and the board for Detroit Lions Charities.

DETROIT Martha Ford is stepping down as the principal owner of the Detroit Lions, handing the reins to her daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp. Ford took over as the principal owner in 2014. Her daughter will now take over as principal owner and chairman. Hamp has been active in team leadership and National Football League activities for several years in preparation for officially assuming team leadership, the Lions said in a statement.