The Lions will hire Saints quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi as offensive coordinator, league sources told ESPN Senior NFL Insider Chris Mortensen.
Lombardi, grandson of Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, emerged as the favorite among numerous candidates for the job since Jim Caldwell was hired last week as coach, sources told ESPN.
Lombardi spent the past seven seasons as an offensive assistant with the Saints, who promoted him to quarterbacks coach in 2009.
With Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush, the Lions have the key pieces to make an offense run. Lombardi comes from a great system in New Orleans and will have the chance to thrive in Detroit.