San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt is reportedly the frontrunner to become the next Detroit Lions coach. Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden is also on the "wishlist" of the Lions, ESPN reports.
"The Detroit Lions' head coaching job is Ken Whisenhunt's to lose, sources close to the situation told ESPN," NFL Insider Adam Schefter wrote on Sunday.
Whisenhunt, the Arizona Cardinals' head coach from 2007 to 2012, joined the Chargers this season as the offensive coordinator and turned last season's 31st-ranked offense into a top five offense.
He also helped rejuvenate the career of Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who threw for 4,478 yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions - a dramatic turnaround from the signal caller's struggles over the last two seasons.
The Lions hope Whisenhunt can have similar success with quarterback Matthew Stafford, who seemingly regressed this season.
"Obviously, experience as a head coach is important," Lions general manager Martin Mayhew told the team website last week. "It doesn't matter what side of the ball it is. I also think we can to (sic) take into account a coach's ability to change our culture a little bit. It has to be something bigger than just scheme that somebody's bringing to our table."
With the Chargers still alive in the postseason, the Lions cannot hire Whisenhunt until after San Diego's season concludes.
Detroit also has their eye on Gruden, who's worked as the Bengals' offensive coordinator since 2011. Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell was interviewed on Friday, according to the team website.
The Lions (7-9) fired coach Jim Schwartz on Dec. 30 after the team, which once sat atop the NFC North, lost six of their last seven games
