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Franchises

Lions Hoping For Greatness By Hiring Rams' Brad Holmes As GM

Brad Holmes is the Lions' fourth straight GM with no previous experience in that roleRAMS

The Lions hired Brad Holmes as their new GM, and the former Rams exec is seen as a “young, respected talent evaluator,” but it is a “bigger gamble” than some thought the team would take, according to Bob Wojnowski of the DETROIT NEWS. Holmes “didn’t appear on most candidate lists” until late in the process, and the Rams Dir of College Scouting has never been a GM, or even an assistant GM. Holmes is described as an “impressive person” and someone “groomed for a job like this, eventually.” Wojnowski: “The Lions jumped the timetable from ‘eventually’ to ‘immediately,’ and you hope it’s a reflection of extensive research and interviews, and not falling for the rising hot candidate” (DETROIT NEWS, 1/15). NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted Holmes had an "unbelievably impressive interview," and it "sounds like really after his first interview, they knew he was the guy from under the radar to GM" ("NFL Now," NFL Network, 1/14).

TAKING A CALCULATED RISK: In Detroit, Dave Birkett notes the 41-year-old Holmes becomes “one of the youngest and least experienced GMs in the NFL.” That alone makes this a “risky move.” Additionally, the Lions’ “love affairs with first-time GMs have never worked in the past.” However, the Lions are “gambling that Holmes is a superstar in the making and willing to live with whatever learning curve he endures on the way up.” Birkett: “They saw in Holmes the potential for greatness, and to lead the organization there, too” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/15). CBSSN’s Adam Schein called Holmes a “breathtaking” hire and said, "The Lions nailed it. Brad Holmes is so well-respected and an incredible guy” (“Time to Schein,” CBSSN, 1/14).

ALL PART OF A VISION: ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein noted the hiring of Holmes concluded a search process that can be "described as both exhaustive and thorough,” something that can “signal Detroit is trying to do things right this time.” The organization “came in with a specific set of value traits it was looking for in its new football leadership,” including someone who could “work on bringing in an inclusive culture.” The Lions also wanted someone who is "open and willing to communicate and can be a leader” (ESPN.com, 1/14). In Detroit, Shawn Windsor writes Lions Owner Sheila Ford Hamp has a “vision” for the franchise. While she “may not have articulated it completely to the fan base … it’s there, and it’s not hard to spot.” Ford Hamp wanted someone “that could communicate, that could empower, that could develop, that could teach, that could share … ideas, strategies, goals” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/15).

MORE OF THE SAME OLD, SAME OLD: In Detroit, Carlos Monarrez calls the move a “fail on the Lions’ part,” as the Seahawks’ John Schneider or the Steelers’ Kevin Colbert would have been the “only home run hires.” The Lions instead “completely struck out,” as Holmes becomes the team’s “fourth straight general manager with no previous GM experience.” Monarrez: “The fact they never even seemed close to hiring either elite candidate says a lot about the organization’s inability to hire and attract the NFL’s most accomplished candidates" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/15).

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