The Detroit Lions are reportedly scheduled to interview former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak on Friday. San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt remains the frontrunner for the Lions' vacancy and is expected to begin interviewing with interested teams this week, ESPN's Ed Werder reports.
Munchak, who was fired by the Titans on Saturday after refusing to make coaching staff changes, will discuss the Lions' head coach opening on Friday with the team on Friday. He also interviewed for the head coaching job with Penn State, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
Detroit's level of interest in Munchak, however, is uncertain. Whisenhunt is still believed to be the top candidate to take over the Lions, and he's expected to meet with the Lions this week before the Chargers' playoff game on Sunday.
"Chargers general manager Tom Telesco will allow Whisenhunt to interview with interested teams this week as San Diego prepares for Sunday's playoff game against the Denver Broncos, sources told Werder," ESPN wrote on Tuesday. "Telesco and the Chargers will have some control over when and where Whisenhunt's interviews occur, according to the sources."
The Lions appear to be casting a wide net for their next coach. The club interviewed Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell on Friday, according to the team website, and is reportedly interested in Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.
Former coach Jim Schwartz was fired on Dec. 30 after a late-season collapse. Detroit went from at one point sitting atop the NFC North to winning just one of their last seven games, including dropping four straight games to conclude the regular season.
