Ex-Lions coach Matt Patricia starting career in media

DETROIT — A few years after being let go as head coach of the Detroit Lions, Matt Patricia has joined the media.

Patricia is joining the 33rd Team, a media and technology platform, as a contributor, according to a TV interview Patricia did Wednesday morning. Former head coaches Bill Belichick and Adam Gase also joined the company, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

"I think the great thing about the 33rd Team is really, Mike Tannenbaum has put together an incredible collection of coaches, executives, guys that have worked maybe in the personnel department, just different areas of the game," Patricia said on CNBC's Squawk Box.

"If you want to grow and learn and really get into the details of what the NFL's really about and what the game of football's about, I think it's just a great resource for fans and coaches, former coaches, former executives to go. ... It's really a place to just grow and learn in the sport and really have that growth mindset."

Patricia, who amassed a 13-29 record as Lions head coach from 2018-20 and was fired at the midway point of his final season, also recently joined Underdog Fantasy's programming in an undefined role. Patricia was Belichick's co-host in a teaser for a new show called "Coach."

Underdog Fantasy is a daily fantasy sports website that launched in 2020. According to Sports Business Journal, its investors include Lions quarterback Jared Goff, billionaire Mark Cuban and NBA superstar Kevin Durant. Underdog features a variety of podcasts and internet shows that promote the company's daily fantasy sports and other wager offerings.

Belichick retired this offseason after winning six Super Bowls as head coach with the New England Patriots and two with the New York Giants. As he enters into media, it appears he's not done working with Patricia just yet.

Patricia was the defensive coordinator on Belichick's Patriots staff for six seasons (2012-17), during which time New England won two Super Bowls. He was also an offensive assistant on a Super Bowl-winning Patriots team during the early dynasty days in 2004.

Patricia took over a Lions squad in 2018 that was fresh off consecutive 9-7 seasons and went 6-10 in his first year before going 3-12-1 the following year. Detroit started the 2020 season 4-7; Patricia was fired following a 41-25 loss to the Houston Texans on Thanksgiving Day.

Following his ousting from Detroit — the Lions also fired general manager Bob Quinn — Patricia rejoined Belichick's staff in New England and held a variety of roles, including offensive play-caller, until the two parted ways after the 2022 season. He served a one-year stint as a senior defensive assistant for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023 and was promoted to defensive play-calling duties for the final four games.