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Everyone knows that Detroit’s professional sports teams have become a subject of ridicule nationwide.
It has been almost ten years since the devoted fans of Detroit have truly had a reason to rejoice.
Given the prolonged poor performance of four franchises, it becomes challenging to determine the appropriate target for the accumulated anger and frustration.
The good news is that we have successfully solved the problem.
A committee comprising three members has joined forces to compile a roster of the ten individuals primarily responsible for the failures.
Just how bad have Detroit sports been?
Prior to diving into the countdown, it’s important to assess the dismal performance of Michigan’s four professional sports teams.
- The Detroit Pistons last made a playoff appearance on April 22, 2019, where they were unfortunately swept 4-0 by the Milwaukee Bucks.
- The Detroit Red Wings achieved their most recent playoff victory on April 17, 2016, defeating Tampa Bay 2-0. However, despite this victory, they ultimately lost the series 4-1.
- The Detroit Tigers achieved their last playoff series victory on October 10, 2013, when they defeated the Oakland Athletics with a score of 3-2 in the ALDS.
- The most recent championship was won by the Detroit Red Wings in 2008, defeating Pittsburgh with a score of 4-2.
Not to mention, the fact that the Lions have never made it to a Super Bowl.
A playoff series victory has eluded a Detroit team for over 3,200 days, and it has been more than 5,100 days since the city last reveled in a championship.
Who is to blame for the past 10 years of Detroit sports?
The panel conducted a voting session to create a top 10 list, assigning 10 points to the first spot, nine points to the second, and so on down to one point for the last spot. The cumulative points awarded by the three voters determined our final top 10. Now, let’s dive in.
The voting panel is comprised of Drew Ellis, who serves as the Lead Writer of Playinmichigan, Paul Costanzo, who holds the position of Managing Editor of Playinmichigan, and Matt Schoch, who acts as the Senior Content Manager for Catena Media.
10. Dave Dombrowski
Dombrowski, who joined the Tigers in 2002, displayed no hesitation in adopting an assertive approach. With owner Mike Ilitch’s support, he fearlessly pursued the goal of winning a World Series, successfully accomplishing it.
For the first time in several years, Dombrowski made significant signings for Detroit. He successfully acquired notable players such as Ivan Rodriguez and Magglio Ordonez, and also appointed Jim Leyland as the manager.
As a result, they made it to the World Series in 2006, but unfortunately lost in a five-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Afterwards, Dombrowski took action by acquiring players such as Gary Sheffield, Miguel Cabrera, and Max Scherzer through trades. The team also nurtured talents like Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello, resulting in an exceptional rotation. Additionally, Dombrowski made significant signings, including Victor Martinez and Prince Fielder, with substantial contracts. As a result, the team reached the World Series once again in 2012. Unfortunately, it ended in disappointment as they were swept by the San Francisco Giants.
After the 2012 defeat, things started to go downhill. Jim Leyland decided to retire following a loss in the ALCS in 2013. Brad Ausmus was then brought in by Dombrowski, but unfortunately, he only managed to lead the team to one playoff appearance in four seasons.
The Tigers initiated a process of exchanging assets for prospects, unfortunately, a significant portion of them did not yield fruitful results. In the month of March in the year 2014, Cabrera was offered a lucrative 8-year, $248 million extension contract, ensuring his continued presence in Detroit. However, as time passed, Cabrera’s performance and physical condition gradually deteriorated, transforming the once promising contract into a burdensome liability for the franchise in recent times.
After being released in August 2015, Dombrowski quickly joined Boston and achieved a remarkable feat by winning a World Series in 2018. Although Dombrowski played a significant role in creating memorable moments in Tigers’ history, his ultimate goal was to secure a World Series victory. Unfortunately, despite having an abundance of talent, Detroit fell short of this objective. As a result, Dombrowski’s bold moves, which failed to yield any championship titles, ultimately led to several disappointing years of baseball after his departure.
9. Stan Van Gundy
In May 2014, Stan Van Gundy took on the dual roles of head coach and president of the Pistons, relieving Joe Dumars of his convoluted tenure. Despite a challenging start with a 32-50 record in his first season, Van Gundy successfully guided the Pistons to the playoffs in the 2015-16 season with an improved 44-38 record. Unfortunately, their playoff journey was abruptly cut short as they were swept by LeBron James and the formidable Cleveland Cavaliers.
After failing to achieve 40 wins in the following two seasons, the Pistons were under pressure. Van Gundy decided to trade various draft picks, Tobias Harris, and Avery Bradley to the L.A. Clippers in exchange for Blake Griffin. Unfortunately, Griffin was already past his prime in terms of athleticism and explosiveness. To make matters worse, he had just begun a $171 million max deal when the trade took place. As a result of his physical decline and the financial burden he posed, the Pistons found themselves in a significant predicament long after Van Gundy’s dismissal in May of 2018.
SVG’s track record in the draft was less than stellar. In 2015, he chose Stanley Johnson as the No. 8 pick, foregoing the opportunity to select Devin Booker, who ended up going to Phoenix at No. 13. Similarly, in 2017, Van Gundy opted for Luke Kennard at No. 12, only to be surpassed by Donovan Mitchell at 13 and Bam Adebayo at 14.
8. Joe Dumars
For countless years, Dumars reigned as a deity in Detroit.
Dumars, a former Pistons player who won NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, transitioned to become the team’s president in 2000. Under his leadership, he assembled a unique group of players who formed the victorious 2004 NBA Championship team. Additionally, he successfully crafted a roster that secured an impressive six consecutive conference finals appearances from 2003 to 2008.
In light of their remarkable achievements, how do Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon belong on this list of successful individuals?
Following a disappointing elimination from the NBA playoffs in 2009, Dumars, having funds at his disposal, awarded Charlie V. a lucrative contract worth $40 million over a span of 5 years. Additionally, Gordon secured a substantial deal of $55 million for a duration of 5 years.
In Detroit, Gordon’s tenure extended for three seasons, during which he failed to surpass an average of 13.8 points per game. On the other hand, Villanueva managed to stay for the entire five-year period, but only achieved double-digit scoring in two of those seasons, never surpassing 4.7 rebounds per game.
Since 2014, Dumars’ downfall can be attributed to those two contracts and a series of unsuccessful coaches. As a result, the chance of attracting renowned free agents to Detroit has diminished significantly.
Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the decision to trade Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson during the 2008-09 season proved to be unhelpful. Moreover, Joe Dumars’ draft choices did not yield favorable results for the team either. Only two players, Andre Drummond (selected as the 9th overall pick in 2012) and Mehmet Okur (chosen as the 37th overall pick in 2001), managed to become All-Stars while playing for the Detroit Pistons.
7. Tom Gores
The Pistons’ winning streak persists.
The current owner is famous not only for his distinctive attire but also for his somewhat unpredictable behavior, which rivals his success as an owner. I highly recommend searching “Tom Gores” on YouTube, where you’ll find the top result showcasing his intoxicated state. It’s a truly entertaining experience.
After the passing of Bill Davidson, the longstanding owner of the Pistons in 2009, Gores later joined Platinum Equity as a co-owner in 2011 and eventually obtained sole ownership in 2015.
During Gores’ ownership tenure, his team has made it to the playoffs twice, but unfortunately, they were eliminated in the first round on both occasions. Over the course of the last ten seasons under Gores’ ownership, Detroit has recorded a win-loss record of 339-480.
After inheriting the final phase of Joe Dumars’ tenure as president, Gores proceeded to appoint Stan Van Gundy as both head coach and president, resulting in a chaotic four-year period.
Since the appointment of Troy Weaver as general manager in June 2020, the franchise has experienced a rapid transformation in roster construction and the elimination of numerous burdensome contracts. Only time will reveal whether these changes will enable the Pistons to reclaim their winning ways.
6. Ken Holland
GM of the Red Wings, Ken Holland, enjoyed a remarkable start to his tenure, steering the team to success in the first half. Sadly, the second half witnessed a significant decline, plunging the franchise into a downward spiral.
After the 1997 Stanley Cup, Holland’s promotion from assistant GM to general manager took place. Under his leadership, the Wings triumphed in three Stanley Cup championships in 1998, 2002, and 2008.
However, the team that he took over began to deteriorate after reaching the finals in 2009. Holland was unwilling to make changes to the aging lineup of the Red Wings and start building for the future. This decision appeared unwise at the time and has ultimately resulted in a catastrophic outcome.
Despite making the playoffs consistently from 2010 to 2016, Detroit’s hockey team was unable to advance beyond the first round after 2013. During the last four seasons under the General Manager’s leadership, the team only managed an average of slightly above 66 points.
Despite Jeff Blashill’s impressive tenure with the Grand Rapids Griffins, his appointment as head coach did not yield significant success.
One of the significant roster decisions he made was granting Johan Franzen an 11-year contract extension worth $43.5 million in 2009. This decision had a profound impact as Franzen struggled with injuries throughout his career. In October 2009, he tore his ACL, and later in 2015, a blindside check resulted in concussion symptoms that essentially ended his playing days. Despite these setbacks, Franzen managed to score 104 goals over the duration of the contract, which ultimately expired in 2020.
In April of 2019, Steve Yzerman took over from Holland.
5. Matt Patricia
The blame hierarchy may be debatable, but it’s hard to find anyone who is despised as much as Patricia.
In February 2018, Bob Quinn appointed the head coach position to a self-assured individual who had learned under the guidance of Bill Belichick. Upon his arrival in Detroit, Patricia carried himself with an air of confidence, often seen with a pencil tucked behind his ear. However, despite his belief in his abilities, Patricia fell short of living up to the coaching prowess displayed by his mentor, Belichick.
From the beginning, there were initial reports indicating that Patricia had managed to alienate the team’s experienced players, resulting in a significant loss of unity within the locker room. To make matters worse, his first game as head coach resulted in a humiliating 48-17 defeat at home against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. Unfortunately, things did not improve much after that.
Patricia’s methods led to the departure of skilled players such as Golden Tate, Quandre Diggs, and Darius Slay from the team. He frequently relied on former Patriots players who didn’t meet expectations. In press conferences, he often lectured writers on body posture, all the while maintaining an air of superiority over others.
To make matters worse, he squandered the best years of Matthew Stafford’s career, ultimately leading him to find success and win a Super Bowl with another team.
Quinn and Patricia were mercifully relieved of their duties on November 28, 2020. Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have since taken charge, tasked with rebuilding the team.
4. Al Avila
Few people can endure as long with a professional sports team without experiencing any form of success quite like Avila has.
After joining the franchise in 2002 as an assistant GM, Avila’s dedication and hard work paid off when he was promoted to the positions of GM and executive VP of baseball in August 2015, following Dombrowski’s departure.
Since accumulating 86 victories in his inaugural full season in 2016, the Tigers’ performance has drastically declined, averaging only 63 wins in the subsequent four full seasons (with a record of 23-35 in the COVID-affected 2020 season). As of the All-Star Break this year, the Tigers find themselves 19 games below .500.
Avila’s decision to trade star players such as J.D. Martinez and Justin Verlander did not result in the acquisition of reliable starters. Moreover, his signings have been underwhelming, with a particularly notable example being Javier Baez’s six-year, $140 million contract for the 2022 season. Unfortunately, Baez has struggled this season, currently batting .213 and accumulating 76 strikeouts.
Avila’s success in the MLB Draft is evident with four top 5 picks, including two players selected as No. 1 overall. However, the current situation for these picks is not ideal. Casey Mize, the 2018 top pick, is currently in the early stages of recovery after undergoing Tommy John surgery. As for the 2020 top pick, Spencer Tokelson, he seems to be struggling at the plate during his rookie year, accumulating 76 strikeouts and a batting average of .197. Consequently, he was recently sent down to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.
3. Bob Quinn
In 2016, the Fords’ decision to appoint Bob Quinn as the new general manager seemed like a pivotal moment. The arrival of an executive from the successful New England Patriots to Detroit raised high expectations. Unfortunately, reality proved otherwise, as everything went awry.
Jim Caldwell was dismissed by Quinn a year later, citing dissatisfaction with only nine wins. Quinn then made the decision to bring on board his acquaintance from the Patriots, Matt Patricia. However, Patricia’s tenure was marked by a disappointing record of 13-29-1 in under three seasons, and his leadership style created a rift within the team.
Next, let’s discuss the personnel choices made by Quinn. In 2019, he secured the services of Trey Flowers, a former Patriot, for a lucrative deal worth $90 million spanning five years. Additionally, Quinn signed Justin Coleman, a nickel corner, for $36 million over four years, setting a new record for the position’s highest contract. As for their performances, Flowers has achieved 10.5 sacks in his three-year tenure with Detroit, while Coleman’s time with the team ended after two years, during which he managed to secure just one interception.
Quinn made another trade by sending Quandre Diggs to Seattle in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick. Interestingly, he later used that very pick to acquire safety Duron Harmon from the Patriots. It may come as a surprise, but Harmon’s stint with Detroit lasted only a year. In contrast, Diggs has thrived in Seattle, recording an impressive 13 interceptions and earning Pro Bowl honors for two consecutive seasons.
Quinn’s actions have left a lasting impression on Lions fans, as they can’t forget the names of some unsuccessful draft picks. Take Teez Tabor, chosen in the second round of 2017, or Jahlani Tavai, picked in the second round of 2019. However, what might haunt the Lions indefinitely is Quinn’s decision to select Jeff Okudah at the No. 3 spot in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Detroit is making efforts to contribute towards cleaning up the mess left behind by Quinn, but this undertaking is anticipated to be a lengthy process.
2. The Ford Family
Pinpointing just one Ford member is difficult, which is why the collective family takes the second spot. The owners of the Detroit Lions have undeniably established a remarkable standard of failure as a franchise.
The Lions continue to be among the four teams that have never made it to a Super Bowl, and their most recent playoff victory dates back to 1992.
The continuous hiring of ineffective management and a preference for mediocrity have positioned Detroit as a strong contender for the title of the worst franchise in football. Over the past ten years, the appointments of Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia extensively disrupted any progress the franchise had made.
Although the personnel can be partially held responsible, the Ford Family has remained a consistent factor in decades of failure.
1. Chris Ilitch
Recently, the CEO and President of Ilitch Holdings, who also happens to be the owner of the Red Wings and Tigers, has been under intense scrutiny. This individual, Chris, has taken up the mantle left by his late father, Mike Ilitch, who was the owner of the Red Wings during their victorious Stanley Cup seasons in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008. Although the Detroit Tigers have not claimed a World Series title, they did make appearances in 2006 and 2012.
Ever since Mike’s passing, the Red Wings have consistently ranked in the lower half of their division annually. This trend has also been seen in the performance of the Tigers. Although there is hope for improvement with the appointment of Yzerman as the general manager for the Red Wings, the Tigers still face ongoing challenges.
After a promising 77-win season in 2021, expectations for a comeback have been shattered this year. Detroit’s record stands at 37-56 at the All-Star Break, and the repercussions of a frugal offseason are evident. While Mike was unafraid to invest in the pursuit of victory, Chris has yet to demonstrate a similar approach. Detroit currently holds the 18th spot in MLB’s list of highest-paid rosters.
Ilitch’s realization that Holland was no longer the solution for the Red Wings came too late, and his acknowledgment of Avila’s incompetence for the Tigers is also taking an unnecessarily long time.
Honorable Mentions
Even though they didn’t make it to the top 10, they continue to have a significant presence in our thoughts.
April in Detroit: Those songs should never have been linked to the city.
If not for the head-scratching decision of the Picked Up PI Flag, the Detroit Lions could have secured a playoff win in 2015. This crucial moment had the potential to alter the trajectory of the franchise and Matthew Stafford’s career indefinitely.
The Boston Cop’s celebration instead of aiding Torii Hunter, who flipped over the wall attempting to catch David Ortiz’ grand slam, felt like a detrimental blow to the franchise.
Bill Belichick is well aware of what he has provided us with.
The Mario Impempa/Rod Allen Booth Fight marked the conclusion of a significant era for the Tigers, putting an end to their long run. Additionally, it was unfortunate as we lost the opportunity to witness Rod Allen’s local commercials.
