Lions to hire Millen as president, GM

DETROIT (AP) _ Matt Millen will be hired as president and general manager of the Detroit Lions, an NFL source said Friday. <br><br>``It should happen early next week,'' said the source, who spoke

Friday, January 5th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DETROIT (AP) _ Matt Millen will be hired as president and general manager of the Detroit Lions, an NFL source said Friday.

``It should happen early next week,'' said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Lions were interested in hiring the former NFL linebacker and TV commentator two years ago, but Millen asked to be removed from consideration.

A call Friday to Millen's home went unanswered.

Millen's hiring was first reported by ESPN, The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News.

The Lions fired their offensive and defensive coordinators along with their receivers coach after being eliminated from the playoffs by losing to Chicago in the regular-season finale.

Head coach Bobby Ross resigned after Detroit lost three straight to slip to 5-4. Gary Moeller was immediately given a 2 1/2-year contract.

Millen, 42, has been an NFL analyst for Fox Sports since 1994 and worked for CBS the two previous years. The former Penn State standout was an NFL linebacker from 1980-91 with the Oakland/L.A. Raiders, the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins.

Fox Sports officials told The Detroit News that Millen has agreed to a four-year, $12 million contract.

``There's no announcement forthcoming,'' Lions spokesman Steve Reaven said Thursday night. ``Until something is known, there's nothing more we can say from our end.''

Lions owner William Clay Ford has been out of town and was expected to return at the beginning of the week to announce Millen's appointment, the News reported.

Millen's broadcasting work came after the conclusion of a stellar NFL career during which he played on four Super Bowl championship teams. He is the only player to win four Super Bowls with three different teams.