<sod>In 1972, the team improved to 8–5–1 and finished in second place.<ref name=PRC/> However, with one game left, team owner [[William Clay Ford, Sr.|William Clay Ford]] publicly announced his dissatisfaction with the results he had received from the coaching staff and stated that there would be a shakeup of the coaching staff when the season ended.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ford Vows Shakeup -- Lions' Assistants: 'Heads Will Roll'|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=December 13, 1972|author=Jack Saylor|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7027888/ford_vows_shakeup_lions_assistants/}}</ref><eod>
<sod>In 1972, the team improved to 8–5–1 and finished in second place.<ref name=PRC/> However, with one game left, team owner [[William Clay Ford, Sr.|William Clay Ford]] publicly announced his dissatisfaction with the results he had received from the coaching staff and stated that there would be a shakeup of the coaching staff when the season ended.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ford Vows Shakeup -- Lions' Assistants: 'Heads Will Roll'|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=December 13, 1972|author=Jack Saylor|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7027888/ford_vows_shakeup_lions_assistants/}}</ref> Following Ford's criticism, the Lions smashed the Rams, 34-17, in the final game of the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lions Finish 34-17 Winner Over Rams|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|author=Jack Saylor|date=December 18, 1972|page=1D|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7028123/lions_finish_3417_winner_over_rams/}}</ref> After the game, Schmidt told the press: "As far as our season is concerned, it was a very disappointing one. . . . At least we improved from last year's 7-6-1 record. The abuse that has been heaped upon us in Detroit is part of the game."<ref>{{cite news|title=Win Helps Schmidt; Ram Coaches Suffers|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|author=Jack Saylor|date=December 18, 1972|page=6D|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7028074/win_helps_schmidt_ram_coach_suffers/}}</ref><eod>