Lions President & CEO Matt Millen Has Been Removed From Position

Millen Out As President Of Lions

The Lions have "finally removed" President & CEO Matt Millen from his post, "unseating one of the most criticized executives in Detroit sports history," according to Jay Glazer of FOXSPORTS.com. Millen was "informed of the move last night during a late-night high-level meeting." It is "unclear if Millen was fired or removed himself from the equation but the news comes just days after" Lions Vice Chair Bill Ford Jr. publicly stated that he "would have fired [Millen] if it was his decision but he lacked the authority to do so" (FOXSPORTS.com, 9/24). ESPN's Chris Mortensen said, "The writing was clearly on the wall when Bill Ford Jr. on Monday finally said publicly how he thought privately, which is that Matt needed to go, and they came to that either mutual conclusion or he was fired" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 9/24). 

TIME FOR A CHANGE: In Detroit, Drew Sharp writes the "swiftness of Millen's exit was surprising," because top team execs "often tread water until season's end." Sharp: "It's too bad that Ford Jr.'s frustration over Bill Ford Sr.'s unflagging support boiled over into a football family feud, but it achieved the desired objective" (FREEP.com, 9/24). Sharp added, “This was a very shrewd calculation on Bill Jr.’s part because he’s been saying these things to his father for the previous two years privately" (ESPNews, 9/24). ESPN's Mortensen said, “A lot of people in Detroit are going to say Mr. Ford, who’s a very nice man, is ultimately the problem because they’ve really not had a lot of success. But it never got as deep in the abyss as it did under Matt. ... This is probably long overdue” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 9/24). ESPN's Kevin Seifert writes, "Millen's departure was beyond necessary if the franchise has any hope of building a playoff contender" (ESPN.com, 9/24). Also in Detroit, Michael Rosenberg writes of Millen, "As far as I'm concerned, he is still on the clock. The rest of this season belongs on his tab, too. And if the Lions stink again next year, which is likely, Millen will deserve the blame for that" (FREEP.com, 9/24). However, Lions WR Roy Williams said prior to the announcement, “I think Matt has done a great job of putting the team together. … I can’t blame the front office for anything. I wouldn’t fire the guy. It’s not his fault.” Lions K Jason Hanson added, “When you’re not playing good and you’re 0-3 … everybody from the owner to the kicker should be upset and tired and sick of what’s happening” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/24).