The Detroit Lions announced Monday that they hired former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to be the team's new head coach.

"When we launched the search for our next head coach, I wanted to find a leader that could take us to the next level and I am confident we have found that in Matt Patricia," general manager Bob Quinn said in the release. "He has been preparing for this opportunity his entire career, and he's ready for the responsibility and its challenges.

"Matt is driven to succeed, has extreme passion for the game and excels in preparation. He embodies the same hard-working, blue-collar attributes that represent our organization and the great City of Detroit."

In Patricia's introductory press conference on Wednesday, he said he knew Detroit was the right fit because of his familiarity with Quinn and the relationship with ownership.

"My meeting with Bob and Rod (Wood) was one that I just felt very comfortable in," he said. "I felt immediately when I walked in the room that things just started to click on the same level – ideas, philosophies, the way that you wanted an organization and a football team to be run.

"Kind of the mentality behind it was very similar. Bob's and mine working relationship is outstanding, and has been outstanding previously, so there's obviously no reason to think that way moving forward. My comfort level with Bob is huge."

Now that Patricia is in place as head coach, it's a quick turnaround to the offseason, but that's nothing he hasn't had to deal with before.

"Yeah, even in my previous experience, whenever the season ends I feel like we're behind," Patricia said. "So, as soon as everything is done, whenever that last game is, you're in a catchup mode and you're trying to get going.

"So, it's the same situation that I would've been in no matter what. I'm in that mode where there's a lot of work to be done and not a lot of time to get it done."

COACHING STAFF UPDATES
Prior to Patricia's press conference, the Lions announced several updates to the coaching staff, most notably, Paul Pasqualoni as defensive coordinator. The team also announced Friday that Bo Davis would be joining the staff as defensive line coach.

Patricia won't commit to a set 4-3 or 3-4 scheme now, but said he and Pasqualoni will tailor their defense to their players.

"I'll say coach Pasqualoni and I have a long history together," Patricia said. "So, there's a lot of common ground from what we believe in, how a defense should be played, how it should be run, the fundamentals behind it.

You know, the core teaching of what should be accomplished first and foremost. There's a huge comfort level for me to have him on board and to be able to entrust him to handle that."

On the offensive side of the ball, Patricia is retaining Jim Bob Cooter as offensive coordinator.

"There were all those connections," Patricia said Thursday morning. "Everybody signs off on this guy. He's vetted. He's smart. I've gone against him a bunch of times. I know he's a really good coach."

Even though Patricia is a defensive-minded coach, he plans to be involved in all aspects of his team, and says his relationship with quarterback Matthew Stafford is going to be very important moving forward.

"That's something I'm really excited about," Patricia said. "From a standpoint of being able to sit down and watch film and go through film and from my standpoint say, 'Hey, let me show you what I see. Let me show you what defenses are looking at against you or let me show you this particular player defensively and look at this and try to broaden the way you look at it from that standpoint, too.'"

OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS:

• The Lions announced Friday that they have agreed to terms with general manager Bob Quinn on an extension to his current contract.
• 326 prospects have been invited to the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
• Members of the Detroit Sports Media selected the winners for their annual Rookie of the Year and Media Friendly Good Guy awards.
• In honor of National Signing day this past Wednesday, see where Lions players ranked as college recruits.