Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions are facing a potential shake-up in their coaching staff, something no one, especially Campbell, wants to see. But it’s a reality in the NFL: as teams get better, their staff gets picked apart. The Lions have managed to keep their coaching team together for as long as possible, but now it seems likely that key members will be taken away.
While I still believe Ben Johnson will stay for now, the focus here is on what happens if he leaves. It’s expected that Aaron Glenn will be hired away, and other prominent names like Scottie Montgomery, Hank Fraley, and Deshea Townsend could also find new roles this year.
So, what would the Lions’ coaching staff look like in 2025 if it undergoes a total overhaul? Here’s my take on the contingency plan:
Offense
| Role | Coach | Replacing |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Head Coach/Tight ends | Steve Heiden | Scottie Montgomery |
| Offensive Coordinator | Tanner Engstrand | Ben Johnson |
| Passing Game Coordinator | J.T. Barrett | Tanner Engstrand |
| Quarterbacks Coach | Mark Brunell | |
| Assitant Quarterbacks Coach | Teddy Bridgewater | J.T. Barrett |
| Offensive Line Coach | Steve Oliver | Hank Fraley |
| Assitant Offensive Line Coach | Jahri Evans | Steve Oliver |
| Receivers Coach | Antwaan Randle El | |
| Running Backs Coach | Joel Thomas |
J.T. Barrett would likely be promoted within the offensive staff, as he’s been heavily involved with the Lions’ trick plays since joining the team. He played a key role in developing their creative plays.
If the assistant head coach position becomes available, Steve Heiden is a strong candidate. With his broad coaching experience, Campbell would likely trust him in this important role. Dave Fipp could be a possibility as well, though handling both special teams and assistant head coach duties might be too much for one person.
With Scottie Montgomery potentially leaving, the Lions will need a new running backs coach. Given Campbell’s praise for his time in New Orleans, it makes sense to target Joel Thomas, who coached running backs like Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram. He’s currently with the Giants, but there’s potential for a move.
The Lions may also bring in some fresh faces. Teddy Bridgewater is someone Campbell admires deeply, and promoting him to assistant quarterbacks coach would be a stepping stone for a future head coaching role. Bridgewater has the talent and leadership potential to rise in the NFL coaching ranks.
Jahri Evans, who played for the Saints during Campbell’s tenure there, could also make his way to Detroit. Having recently started his coaching career with New Orleans, Evans would be a strong candidate for a role in the Lions’ staff, especially if the Saints go through a coaching change.
Defense
| Role | Coach | Replacing |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive Coordinator | Kelvin Sheppard | Aaron Glenn |
| Defensive Line Coach | Terrell Wlliams | |
| Assistant Defensive Line Coach | Cameron Davis | |
| Linebackers Coach | Shaun Dion Hamilton | Kelvin Sheppard |
| Assitant Linebackers Coach | Jarrad Davis | Shaun Dion Hamilton |
| Defensive Backs Coach | Blue Adams | Deshea Townsend |
| Assitant Defensive Backs | Dre Thompson | |
| Defensive Assistant | Jim O’Neil | |
| Dafensive Assistant | David Corrao |
On the defensive side, Kelvin Sheppard is primed to become the defensive coordinator. He’s earned the respect of his players, and I believe the defense would thrive under his leadership without skipping a beat.
Blue Adams, the current secondary coach for Michigan State, is another name to watch. Adams worked with Campbell in Miami when Campbell was the interim head coach, and with Michigan State just a couple of hours away, it’s reasonable to think there’s been some contact between the two. Adams also has ties to the Lions, having played for the team in 2003.
Jarrad Davis might be an outside-the-box pick for a coaching role. While his career as a player didn’t pan out as expected, Davis has shown leadership potential, and both Sheppard and Davis have a history together. Given their previous coaching connection, Sheppard might convince Davis to explore a coaching career.
As for special teams, no changes are anticipated at this time, so there’s no need for further discussion on that front.
The Lions are bracing for potential departures, but they already have a solid backup plan in place to ensure the coaching staff remains strong.
