Scott Linehan, the former St. Louis Rams coach who turned down the San Francisco 49ers’ offer to become their offensive coordinator, has agreed to join the Lions in that position, team sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen on Friday.

Linehan declined the 49ers’ offer Sunday, saying he wasn’t ready to commit to his next coaching move.

Linehan, a respected former offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, was fired four games into his third season as the Rams’ coach last September.

Linehan should do wonders for Calvin Johnson’s career (and fantasy owners of CJ) because he doesn’t mind putting the ball in the air, although it should be noted that the former Rams’ head coach didn’t have great relationships with Marc Bulger or Torry Holt. It’s part of the reason why he was run out of St. Louis. (That, and the fact that he couldn’t win.)

Either way, this is quite a staff the Lions are building. All three coaches – Schwartz, Cunningham and now Linehan – are no-nonsense types who won’t stand for players having lazy work ethics, which has been one of the main problems in Detroit for some time now.

The Detroit Lions have hired Gunther Cunningham to be their new defensive coordinator and coach Jim Schwartz is expected to make an announcement shortly.

Cunningham, who also will hold the title of assistant head coach, was believed to be Schwartz’s No. 1 target.

Cunningham coached linebackers in Tennessee for three years while Schwartz was the defensive coordinator there. Schwartz’s search will now turn toward an offensive coordinator and special teams coach.

This was a solid hire and the Lions commitment to defense is a necessary step in trying to resurrect the franchise.

Word to the wise though, Gunther: leave your former defensive players in Kansas City. The Lions want to upgrade their defense, not make it worse.