Lions bringing in GM candidate Brad Holmes for second interview

Justin Rogers
The Detroit News

The Detroit Lions are making important progress with their search for a new general manager. The team has scheduled to bring in Los Angeles Rams director of college scouting Brad Holmes for a second, in-person interview a team source confirmed Tuesday afternoon. 

Last week, Lions president and CEO Rod Wood said the team was aiming to bring in one or two finalists for both the team's general manager and head coaching vacancies prior to making hires. 

The Lions have scheduled to bring in Los Angeles Rams director of college scouting Brad Holmes for a second, in-person interview a team source confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

"Once I think we zero in on a finalist or two for either position, we're definitely going to meet with them in person," Wood said. 

Holmes, one of a dozen known candidates for Detroit's vacancy, virtually interviewed for the position last Thursday. 

Holmes' father, Mel, played three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while uncle Luther Bradley was a first-round draft pick for the Lions in 1978. Brad Holmes had NFL aspirations too, but his playing days ended after four years at North Carolina A&T, where he played defensive tackle.

After a brief stint working media relations for the Atlanta Hawks, he joined the Rams as a public relations intern in 2003, beginning his slow climbing through the organization's ranks.

“It was all about the grunt work and the grind and climbing the ropes,” Holmes told the Tampa Bay Times in 2019 about his start with the Rams. “I was picking up guys from the airport, fetching coffee, making copies.”

From there, he transitioned into a regional scouting position, handling the important Southeast region, prior to being promoted to his current role in 2013. 

During his tenure as the team's college scouting director, the team has notable selected defensive tackle Aaron Donald, quarterback Jared Goff and wide receiver Cooper Kupp.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @Justin_Rogers