http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Head-Coach-Jim-Schwartz-adds-Brandon-Fisher-to-Defensive-Staff/1a8dfe06-8a1d-417d-a8b9-d3cfe39c17de

he Detroit Lions announced today that they have added Brandon Fisher as an assistant to the defensive coaching staff. Fisher spent part of the 2010 season helping the Tennessee Titans’ offensive coaching staff.

Fisher was a standout linebacker at the University of Montana where he played in 54 games (30 starts) and finished with 169 career tackles. As a senior, he was a second team All-Big Sky Conference pick and helped lead the Grizzlies to a 14-1 record with their only loss being to Villanova (23-21) in the Football Championship Subdivision title game. Fisher began his collegiate career as a safety, but began the transition to linebacker in 2008.

Is this a move to bring in Jeff?

I don't think so with a defensive head coach and Gunther Cunningham in the fold and coaches for each level of the defense (DL, LB, DB) already in place.

ALLEN PARK - At first blush, the Detroit Lions hiring of Brandon Fisher "as an assistant to the defensive coaching staff'' is a curious one.

The timing of the announcement is puzzling because while teams around the league, including the Lions, are forcing two-week furloughs on their employees and slashing other salaries up to 25 percent, the Lions made a hire and added a salary.

The Lions lost assistant defensive backs coach Daron Roberts in the off-season (he took a job at West Virginia), but the Lions didn't appear to specify what Fisher would be doing.

Well, first, it turns out that Fisher has been the Lions' staff for months and the Lions are just now making the announcement. Why? Because the Lions like to guard every piece of information like the security of the free world hangs in the balance. (Ask me again why the Lions won't let the cameras from HBO's "Hard Knocks'' into their facility.)

Also, while Fisher will likely be assisting defensive backs coach Tim Walton a good deal, Fisher was not hired as an assistant coach. Rather, as the Lions statement says, he was hired as an assistant TO the staff, not an assistant ON the staff. There's a difference.

Regardless, this is the Fisher's first paid coaching gig in the NFL. The son of former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, Brandon was brought into the Titans organization last year on a voluntary basis after offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger fell ill.

According to reports out of Tennessee, Jeff Fisher wanted to hire his son on a full-time basis, but owner Bud Adams - who has strong feelings against nepotism - rejected it. It is suggested (but not confirmed) that rift helped spur Jeff Fisher's surprising decision to leave the Titans.

Quite possibly billy

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/20 ... etroi.html

IMO Jeff Fisher > Jim Schwartz

I haven't been completely let down by Schwartz. I think he has been the best we have had in a long time, but he is still making rookie HC mistakes. His game management isn't even good, let alone great, and sometimes he seems to lose himself in play calling (he has admitted to not knowing that players didn't receive touches, and/or looks). I like what he has done, but I wouldn't mind moving on if it is an upgrade.

IMO Jeff Fisher > Jim Schwartz

I haven't been completely let down by Schwartz. I think he has been the best we have had in a long time, but he is still making rookie HC mistakes. His game management isn't even good, let alone great, and sometimes he seems to lose himself in play calling (he has admitted to not knowing that players didn't receive touches, and/or looks). I like what he has done, but I wouldn't mind moving on if it is an upgrade.

jeff fisher is a head coach, and that is what he will be as soon as he comes back to football. the lions have no plans for jeff fisher they are happy with jim schwartz.

While I agree that Schwartz has made mistakes, the idea of moving on to a new head coach now would have poor results, particularly in the lockerroom. The team has started to build bonds and they have, I believe, an affinity with the coaching staff.

Besides which, you are focusing solely on what Schwartz has done wrong, and not on the multitude of things he's done right. Sorry, but if the Lions were to pull another Millen stunt by firing Schwartz to get a more "established" coach in the form of Fisher, I'd be beyond pissed off.



Scott Linehan was a head coach, so was Gunner at one time. So was Mike Tice, Wade Phillips, Rod Marinelli, Mike Martz, etc., etc. Just having been a HC prior doesn't mean that you automatically stay at that position. While I agree that Fisher would have a strong shot of being hired as a HC in 2012 if he doesn't take a lesser post in 2011, there's no guarantee of that. I'm sure if Gunner decided to retire at the end of 2011 and Fisher was available, he'd strongly consider the Lions open DC spot.