Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions coaches have lofty expectations for the franchise as they complete the rebuild and sit atop the NFC North. While the rest of the division is quickly retooling, will the Lions be able to sustain its impressive run?
Most of the coaching staff from last season returns, but there are a few departures on defense. Here’s a full list of the Detroit Lions coaches.
Detroit Lions Coaching Staff
- Dan Campbell, Head Coach
- Scottie Montgomery, Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs
- Ben Johnson, Offensive Coordinator
- Aaron Glenn, Defensive Coordinator
- Dave Fipp, Special Teams Coordinator
- J.T. Barrett, Assistant Quarterbacks
- Wayne Blair, WCF Minority Coaching Assistant/Defensive Quality Control
- Dré Bly, Cornerbacks
- Mark Brunell, Quarterbacks
- David Corrao, Defensive Assistant/Outside Linebackers
- Cameron Davis, Assistant Defensive Line
- Deshea Townsend, Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs
- Tanner Engstrand, Passing Game Coordinator
- Hank Fraley, Offensive Line
- Shaun Dion Hamilton, Assistant Linebackers
- Steve Heiden, Tight Ends
- Jett Modkins, Assistant Special Teams
- Steve Oliver, Assistant Offensive Line
- Antwaan Randle El, Wide Receivers
- Seth Ryan, Assistant Wide Receivers
- Terrell Williams, Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line
- Kelvin Sheppard, Linebackers
- Jim O’Neil, Defensive Assistant
New Additions to the Detroit Lions’ Coaching Staff
The gradual success of the Lions under Dan Campbell has helped keep his coaching staff relatively, and surprisingly, unscathed from firings and poaching from other franchises. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson returns to Detroit for his sixth season, while defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn returns for his fourth.
However, every staff sees some changes, and with the departure of Brian Duker from the defensive staff, the Lions were forced to bring in some new faces. Passing Game Coordinator and Defensive Backs coach Deshea Townsend will be tasked with filling his shoes.
Townsend enters his 10th season as an NFL coach. Before that, he spent 13 seasons as a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts. Townsend is a two-time Super Bowl champion, winning with Pittsburgh in Super Bowl 40 and Super Bowl 43.
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The Lions also add a new face in the rush defense as Terrell Williams joins as the Run Game Coordinator and Defensive Line coach. Williams spent his last six seasons with the Tennessee Titans. During his tenure, the Titans allowed the lowest rushing average in the NFL at four yards a carry.
Additionally, Detroit hired Jim O’Neil as a defensive assistant. A longtime NFL coach and coordinator, O’Neil comes to the Lions after a two-year stint as Northwestern’s defensive coordinator. The Lions will be the sixth NFL coaching staff O’Neil has been a member of.
