HEAD COACH JIM SCHWARTZ HIRES SCOTT LINEHAN AS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Allen Park, Mich.—Detroit Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz has announced the hiring of Scott Linehan as the team’s new offensive coordinator. Terms of his contract were not disclosed.
Linehan joins the Lions coaching staff after spending the past three seasons (2006-08) as the head coach of the St. Louis Rams. He is now entering his eighth season as an NFL coach, going on 20 years of coaching experience.
As a first-time NFL head coach, Linehan quickly put his stamp on the Rams in 2006 via the ground game, giving the ball to RB Steven Jackson 346 times in 2006 – the most by a St. Louis player in 20 seasons. Jackson finished the year with 1,528 rushing yards (3rd, NFC), 105 first downs (1st, NFC) and 2,334 all-purpose yards (1st, NFL), earning his first-career Pro Bowl appearance. Jackson averaged 21.0 carries per game over Linehan’s three-year span with the Rams compared with 16.9 carries per game in 2005 and established himself as one of the NFL’s big running threats.
Other Rams saw career bests under Linehan. QB Marc Bulger passed for a career-best 4,301 yards in 2006, setting franchise records with a 1.4 interception percentage and 588 passing attempts. His 370 completions for 24 touchdowns were also second in Rams’ history. That season, WR Torry Holt and WR Isaac Bruce finished with 1,188 and 1,098 yards, respectively, combining for 167 pass receptions.
Link to article
