Report: Lions to hire Saints assistant Dan Campbell as next head coach

The Detroit Lions are expected to hire New Orleans Saints assistant head coach and tight ends coach Dan Campbell as their new head coach, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The two sides have yet to work out a deal but that isn't considered an obstacle, Schefter adds.

Campbell's considered one of Sean Payton's most trusted assistants in New Orleans and will take over for Matt Patricia - who was fired earlier this season - and interim coach Darell Bevell.

The 44-year-old has ties to the Lions, spending three seasons of his playing career with the team. Campbell first dabbled in coaching in 2010, serving as an intern with the Miami Dolphins before moving up to tight ends coach. He closed out the 2015 season as the interim head coach for the Dolphins before departing for New Orleans in 2016.

The Lions will be counting on Campbell to bring some much-needed stability after Patricia finished with a 13-29 record during his tenure. Detroit has also missed the playoffs in each of its last four seasons and has just three postseason appearances since 2000.