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Detroit Lions owner William Ford, left, and Matt Millen, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001, in Pontiac, Mich. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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Ford: He and Millen are square, friends

Reached an amicable settlement

Updated: Thursday, 25 Jun 2009, 10:41 AM EDT
Published : Thursday, 25 Jun 2009, 10:41 AM EDT

    ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) - Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. says he and Matt Millen have reached an amicable settlement on the balance of the former team president's contract and the two remain friends.

    Ford also said Wednesday that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had offered help in finding a new general manager and coach. But Ford preferred naming Tom Lewand as president and Martin Mayhew as general manager.

    The Lions last season became the league's first team to finish 0-16.

    Speaking publicly for the first time since he fired Millen in September, Ford told The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press and MLive.com that coach Jim Schwartz was his choice -- one less contentious than previous hirings.

    Ford said Millen led the hiring efforts for Steve Mariucci and Rod Marinelli.

    Copyright Associated Press, Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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