Report: Lions expected to retain OC Jim Bob Cooter

The pending introduction of a new head coach doesn't seem to be jeopardizing Jim Bob Cooter's future with the Detroit Lions.

Despite the anticipated hiring of New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as the Lions' next head coach following Super Bowl LII, the team is still expected to retain Cooter, even with Patricia likely to form his own staff, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, citing league sources.

Though Cooter and Patricia do not have an existing relationship, they do have an important mutual friend in Lions general manager Bob Quinn, according to Schefter. Quinn gained experience working with Patricia while serving various roles in the Patriots scouting department from 2004-15 and has known Cooter for the past two years as general manager of the Lions.