Wayne Fontes - Head Coach

Head Coach

After 13 seasons as an assistant in the NFL, Fontes took over the Lions as interim head coach in mid-season of 1988 after head coach Darryl Rogers was fired. Fontes was regarded as somewhat of an up-and-comer in NFL coaching circles during his time in Tampa Bay as defensive backs coach under John McKay, and became a highly regarded ball skill and positioning educator for defensive backs in the "3-4" defense. A personable "player's coach" and excellent motivator, Fontes was a key hire by Darryl Rogers, and would ultimately go on to coach Detroit for another seven seasons. The Lions were primed for success after William Clay Ford handed the job to Fontes in 1988, and the ownership pulled out all the stops - drafting Pro Bowl-caliber players such as Barry Sanders, Chris Spielman, Robert Porcher, Luther Ellis, Lomas Brown, Bennie Blades, Jason Hanson, Jerry Ball, Herman Moore, Kevin Glover, and Rodney Peete. Detroit also made aggressive moves in free agency during this time, signing players such as quarterback Scott Mitchell and perhaps most notably Pat Swilling, which would ultimately cost the Lions a 1st Round Draft Pick (Willie Roaf). The Lions would go on to achieve marginal success during his tenure. The team made the playoffs in 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1995 under his leadership. Fontes coached the 1991 and 1993 squads that won the NFC Central Division Title. The 1991 team won 12 regular season games (a franchise record), and Fontes earned NFL Coach of the Year honors through the Associated Press and United Press International. But Detroit was unable to find success in the post-season during this time, and Fontes became a sort-of media scapegoat, which ultimately resulted in his termination. Despite his successes, it was widely considered that the Detroit Lions of this era underachieved, never earning a berth in the Super Bowl.