Lions fire GM Mayhew, president Lewand
The Detroit Lions made a major change to their organization Thursday, firing general manager Martin Mayhew and president Tom Lewand.
Vice president of pro personnel Sheldon White will take over as interim general manager, owner Martha Ford said.
The moves come a little more than a week after the Lions fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, and days after the team fell to 1-7 with an embarrassing 45-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in London.
Head coach Jim Caldwell has reportedly been told his job is safe.
Mayhew joined the Lions' front office in 2001 and was promoted to general manager after the firing of Matt Millen in 2008. Among Mayhew's high-profile draft choices are quarterback Matthew Stafford (first overall, 2009) and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (second overall, 2010).
Mayhew also oversaw the hiring of head coaches Jim Schwartz and Caldwell, as well as the monster seven-year, $132-million contract wide receiver Calvin Johnson signed in 2012.
The Lions made the playoffs twice under Mayhew, their only two appearances since 1999.
Lewand was in his 20th season with the team, and his sixth as president.