Millen staying, 3 others leaving

[racosun]

By Nicholas J. Cotsonika, Detroit Free Press
Lions president Matt Millen confirmed Tuesday he will be back for another year. But defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson, offensive line coach Larry Beightol and special teams coach Chuck Priefer will not.

Coach Rod Marinelli announced the coaching staff changes at his season wrap-up news conference Tuesday. Marinelli and Henderson agreed to a mutual parting because they have different defensive philosophies.

Marinelli fired Beightol, saying only he felt like he needed to make a change.

Priefer, 65, retired to spend more time with his four children and 10 grandchildren.

Marinelli said special teams assistant Stan Kwan would take over for Priefer and declined to comment on candidates for the other positions. Marinelli said he was finished making changes to his staff.

[ATLFalcons]

Lions president Matt Millen confirmed Tuesday he will be back for another year.

That sucks for Lions fans.

[racosun]

I'm surprised Preifer didn't retire sooner, but he must have needed the money. He truly was a great coach, and survived for a long time in this league. He helped bring us the genius of Eddie Murray, Mel Gray, Jason Hanson, and a ST that was usually up there with the best every year (except recently, of course). He'll be missed.

I had already stated in another thread that Marinelli was going to fire the defensive coordinator and bring in his son-in-law. That's no surprise. Joe Barry, who's contract is up in two weeks with Tampa Bay, knows the system Marinelli uses, and should help improve the team's weakest unit. The O-line coach was a casualty of the team's record, and another name to distract (even if it's just a little bit) the public from the Ford's retaining of Matt Millen. The O-line was in shambles all year, and this coach really did a decent job with what he was given to work with.

Millen.......:mad: :confused: :mad: Really, for the Ford's to fire anybody and keep Matt Millen, it's pathetic and hypocritical and moronic and......well, you know. It sucks.

[redlegsfan21]

HEY DETROIT, DON'T GO TO ANY LIONS GAMES. That just might send a messege, anyone playing Detroit should not go either.