Lions fire offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, offensive line coaches

The Detroit Lions have fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn and assistant offensive line coach Terry Heffernan.

The Detroit Lions have fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn and assistant offensive line coach Terry Heffernan, the team announced Monday. 

Quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter will be the interim offensive coordinator. Tight ends coach Ron Prince will coach the offensive line and special teams assistant Devin Fitzsimmons will coach the tight ends. 

Lombardi, the grandson of Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, joined the Lions last year after seven seasons with the Saints. The Lions’ offense ranked 22nd in the league in points per games during his first season. The team is averaging just 19.9 points per game this season, 29th in the league. Detroit is last in rushing yards per game with 68, 15.7 fewer than the 31st-place team. 

The Lions fell to 1–6 with a 28–19 loss to the Vikings on Sunday. They play the Chiefs in London in Week 8 before a bye week. 

- Dan Gartland