Wayne Fontes

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Fontes took over as interim head coach mid-season in 1988 after Darryl Rogers was fired. He was regarded as a personable 'player's coach' and excellent motivator. Under his leadership, the Lions made the playoffs in 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1995. The 1991 team won 12 regular season games, a franchise record at the time, and defeated the Dallas Cowboys 38–6 in the Divisional Playoffs for the franchise's first postseason victory since 1957. They lost in the NFC Championship game to eventual Super Bowl Champion Washington. Fontes earned NFL Coach of the Year honors through the Associated Press and United Press International. His teams finished the 1991 season with six consecutive wins and the 1995 season with a franchise-record seven straight wins after starting 3–6. Fontes was fired after going 5–11 in 1996.

In Their Own Story

Wayne Fontes stands on the sideline, his headset pressed tight against his ear, eyes scanning the field with the intensity of a man who has known this game from both sides of the line of scrimmage. He claps his hands once, sharply, signaling the defense to hold their ground. The crowd roars, a mix of hope and desperation that only Detroit fans know well. In this moment, Fontes isn't just a coach; he is the steady anchor in a sea of uncertainty.

Reader's Guide

Wayne Fontes' career with the Lions began as interim head coach in 1988 after Darryl Rogers was fired. Over his tenure, the Lions drafted Pro Bowl-caliber players such as Barry Sanders, Chris Spielman, Robert Porcher, Luther Elliss, Lomas Brown, Bennie Blades, Jason Hanson, Jerry Ball, Herman Moore, Kevin Glover, and Rodney Peete. Detroit also made aggressive free agency moves, signing quarterback Scott Mitchell and acquiring Pat Swilling from the Saints for a first-round draft pick. Fontes coached the 1991 and 1993 teams to the NFC Central Division title, with the latter being the franchise's last division championship until they won the NFC North in 2023. The stretch from 1993 to 1995 was the first time the franchise had three straight winning seasons since 1969 to 1972. The three straight postseason appearances – and four in five seasons – was the franchise's best run since the 1950s. Fontes' 66 regular season wins – and 67 losses – are the most in franchise's history.

Did You Know?

• Fontes returned one interception 83 yards for a touchdown as a player for the New York Titans, a franchise record that stood for 27 years.
• In the fall of 1987, Fontes pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated after an incident in which he was originally also charged with possession of cocaine; the more serious charge was dropped.
• Fontes earned the nickname 'Rasputin' from Chris Berman due to his apparent ability to 'miraculously' coax a winning streak out of his team every time he was about to be fired.
• Barry Sanders thanked Fontes for his guidance in his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech.
• Fontes' 1991 Lions defeated the Dallas Cowboys 38–6 in the Divisional Playoffs for the franchise's first postseason victory since 1957.