The Lions are one of many teams in on Arthur Smith. And he appears to be a finalist for the job.
The Detroit Lions are starting to line up their in-person interviews for their head coaching job. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport , Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is the first head coach candidate to score a second interview with the Lions. Smith is scheduled to have that in-person interview on Friday, as part of a busy week for the in-demand coach.
Per Rapoport, Smith interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons for the second time on Wednesday, is traveling to New York to have dinner with the Jets on Wednesday evening, then is interviewing for the new coaching vacancy in Philadelphia, and will conclude his work week with a trip to Allen Park with Sheila Ford Hamp and the Lions gang.
Without a doubt, Smith has been the most sought-after candidate this coaching cycle, having been connected to all seven coaching vacancies. More notably, he’s the first candidate the Lions will interview a second time. Thus far, the Lions have confirmed interviews with Marvin Lewis, Eric Bieniemy, Darrell Bevell, Robert Saleh, Dan Campbell and Smith. Per reports, they will also be interviewing Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles on Friday.
Part of the appeal of Smith, likely, is his availability right now. Because the Titans were eliminated from the playoffs last week, there are no restrictions on interviewing or hiring him right now. As opposed to someone like Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy or Todd Bowles, all of whom are still in the playoff race and cannot be interviewed in person.
For all the latest news in the 2021 NFL head coach carousel, head to our tracker.
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