Detroit Lions

Report: Lions to keep Jim Bob Cooter as permanent OC

Published Jan. 18, 2016 1:21 p.m. ET

foxsports

After serving half a season as the team's offensive coordinator, Jim Bob Cooter will be back with the Detroit Lions in the same role for 2016.

Via NFL Network's Ian Rappoport:

The #Lions make the obvious move: Source said they're installing interim OC Jim Bob Cooter as permanent offensive coordinator.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2016

Cooter, who started the season as a quarterbacks coach, took over the offensive coordinator role after Joe Lombardi was fired in late October. Under Lombardi, the Lions went 1-6. They went 6-3, however, after Cooter was put in charge.

While the ground game improved marginally after the switch from Lombardi to Cooter, the biggest difference was quarterback Matthew Stafford's play. He threw 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for a passer rating of 84.1 in the first half of the season. Then, in the second half, he threw 19 touchdowns and only two interceptions for a rating of 110.1.

Stafford turns 28 next month, so he may be just entering the prime of his career. Cooter is only a few years older than his quarterback at 31, but he has already built a foundation for a very promising future.