PONTIAC, Mich. -- Matt Millen moved from the field to the TV
booth to the executive suite. And now, as president and CEO of the
Detroit Lions, he plans to keep coach Gary Moeller and is talking
to Barry Sanders about a comeback.
"We've been ... pretty much stuck on dead center for quite a
few years," team owner William Clay Ford said Tuesday. "Matt
offers us an opportunity to move ahead."
|
Lions VP resigns
|
|
PONTIAC, Mich. -- Chuck Schmidt, executive vice president of
the Detroit Lions and a 25-year employee of the team, resigned
Tuesday, a day after the hiring of Matt Millen.
Schmidt succeeded Russ Thomas in 1989 as the team's top
operations officer, although he wasn't considered a general
manager.
The Lions have allowed their coaches -- Wayne Fontes, Bobby Ross
and Gary Moeller -- to run the football operation since Thomas
resigned as GM.
"I would like to acknowledge the love and tremendous support
given by the fans to the Detroit Lions. ... You deserve a Super
Bowl champion. Keep the faith. I will be cheering with you,"
Schmidt said in a statement released by the team.
-- Associated Press
|
Millen agreed to a five-year, $15 million contract. He will have
complete control over all football operations.
The team hasn't had a general manager since Russ Thomas left in
1989. The Lions have allowed their coaches -- Wayne Fontes, Bobby
Ross and Moeller -- to run the football operation since Thomas
resigned.
Detroit has not won a championship since 1957, and has won just
one playoff game since.
In one of his first orders of business, Millen said he spoke
with Sanders last weekend. Sanders retired from the Lions in 1999
second on the NFL career rushing list.
"I had a great conversation with him, and we're going to talk
again. ... If Barry Sanders would like to play, you would want to
explore that," Millen said.
Sanders' agent David Ware said Tuesday that he hasn't spoken to
Sanders, but said his client hasn't ruled out anything.
Millen said he would meet with Moeller on Tuesday night, adding,
"Right now, hey, Mo's the coach."
Change has been a constant companion of the Lions over the last
few months.
Chuck Schmidt, executive vice president and a 25-year employee
of the team, resigned Tuesday.
The Lions fired their offensive and defensive coordinators along
with their receivers coach after being eliminated from the playoffs
with a loss to Chicago at home in the regular-season finale.
Bobby Ross resigned midway through the season and was replaced
by Moeller, a former coach at Michigan. The Lions finished 9-7
after losing three of their last four games.
The future of Detroit's remaining assistant coaches and
front-office executives is unclear.
"I can't tell you what I don't know," Millen said.
Cornerback Bryant Westbrook is excited about the addition of Millen.
"I think it's going to be a great addition to our
organization," Westbrook said. "I think this shows that the Fords
are dedicated to winning. Hopefully this will get us closer to
getting to the Super Bowl."
Westbrook hopes Moeller continues as head coach.
"I think that would be the best for us," Westbrook said. "I
think he's what we need. The veterans and the younger guys are
comfortable with him because he loves football so much -- it's in
his veins."
The organization was interested in hiring Millen two years ago,
but he asked to be removed from consideration.
"I'm willing to stake my reputation on Matt's success," said
William Clay Ford Jr., the team's vice chairman.
While it was the younger Ford who contacted Millen two years
ago, this time it was his father who initiated the contact a few
days after the Lions' loss to the Bears.
"They've installed their faith in me, and I'll make them a
promise ... I'll give them everything I got," Millen said. "I'm
all about work.
"I'm a football player. I'm a football person. That's what I
know. Some people say it's shallow, but that's what I'm all
about."
The 42-year-old Millen has been an NFL analyst for Fox Sports
since 1994 and worked for CBS the two previous years. He also is
the No. 1 analyst for CBS Radio Sports' NFL broadcasts.
Millen's duties with CBS Radio will be completed after
broadcasting Sunday's NFC Championship game and the Super Bowl. His
last assignment for Fox Sports was the New Orleans-Minnesota game
Saturday.
The Hokendauqua, Pa., native said his experience as a
broadcaster prepared him for his job with the Lions because he
would talk to coaches and players all over the league while also
viewing practices and watching film to prepare for each game.
"It became a living encyclopedia," Millen said.
The former Penn State standout was an NFL linebacker from
1980-91 with the Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and Washington
Redskins. He went to the Super Bowl four times.
Millen said he will be able to take something from each place he
played to help the Lions win.
| |
ALSO SEE
Lions seek permission to meet with Tampa's Edwards
|
Matt Millen talks with ESPN's Chris McKendry following his news conference.
Lions president and CEO Matt Millen makes the promise to give it his all.