Detroit Lions offensive coordinator interview tracker, personnel moves

On By Littum

The Detroit Lions have reached the next stage of the hectic NFL offseason calendar: hiring coaches.

And they have found their new defensive coordinator, promoting linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, now head coach of the Chicago Bears, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, the next New York Jets coach, and will spend the first part of the 2025 offseason looking for replacements. Head coach Dan Campbell is looking for his third offensive coordinator since taking over in January 2021.

The Lions have moved quickly to fill a vacancy on the assistant staff. One day after losing defensive line coach Terrell Williams to the New England Patriots as defensive coordinator, the Lions hired Kacy Rodgers to fill that role. Rodgers has spent the past six seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as defensive line coach, including the last three as defensive run game coordinator.

ANALYSIS: The Lions lost another coordinator. Don’t panic. This is Dan Campbell’s show

Here is a running list of verified reports on the Lions coaching staff.

Lions coordinator interview tracker, coaching staff updates

January 25: Lions promote Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator

The Lions will promote linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator, the Free Press confirmed. Sheppard played eight years in the NFL and holds the job previously held by Aaron Glenn. Sheppard, 37, was hired by the Lions in 2021 on Dan Campbell’s first staff.

“That’s a guy that I actually mentored to be in the DC role at one point,” Glenn said in December. “And I think he’s close, if he’s not ready. And he’s a damn good coach.” — Marlowe Alter

January 24: JT Barrett follows Ben Johnson to the Bears

Lions assistant quarterbacks coach JT Barrett changed his Instagram bio to say he is the Bears’ new quarterbacks coach, following Chicago head coach Ben Johnson when he migrated from Detroit. Barrett, the former Ohio State quarterback, joined the Lions as an offensive assistant in 2022. He is the fifth Lions assistant coach to depart this week. — Marlowe Alter

January 24: Antwaan Randle El joins Ben Johnson with the Bears

Ben Johnson takes Antwaan Randle El to Chicago. The Bears are closing in on a deal to make Randle El, the Lions’ wide receivers coach, their new receivers coach/assistant head coach. He was part of Lions head coach Dan Campbell’s initial staff in 2021 and has worked closely with wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. — Marlowe Alter

Jan. 24: Olympic coach Hank Fraley stays with Lions

Hank Fraley’s wife wrote on Facebook “Year 8 loading” with a Lion emoji and the Allen Park location, indicating the Lions will retain their offensive line coach. The Free Press confirmed that Fraley is being promoted to running game coordinator/offensive line coach. He interviewed with the Seattle Seahawks for their offensive coordinator position and was a reported candidate to join Johnson in Chicago. – Jared Ramsey

January 23: Lions interview Larry Foote for defensive coordinator

The Free Press Lions writer Dave Birkett reported Thursday that the Lions will interview Larry Foote on Friday for defensive coordinator. Foote, a Detroit (Detroit Pershing) native who played for Michigan as well as one season with the Lions in 2009, is currently the linebackers coach and defensive coordinator for Tampa Bay. He was on the staff that won Super Bowl 55 over Kansas City to end the 2020 season. – Jared Ramsey

BEN JOHNSON REPLACEMENT: Why Tanner Engstrand is on the OC field

Lions offensive coordinator candidates

Birkett also split five candidates for each vacancy and their potential fits with the Lions’ attack. Here are the names to watch at offensive coordinator. Updated with latest news.

  • Lions pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
  • Lions assistant head coach and running backs coach Scottie Montgomery.
  • Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley. (Update: Promoted to running game coordinator.)
  • Syracuse offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon.
  • Former Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Greg Olson.

Stay tuned for the best Lions coverage all year round at freep.com/sports/lions.

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