The Detroit Lions made several coaching hires official Monday. In an offseason with plenty of attrition to head coach Dan Campbell’s staff, many of the vacancies have been filled.
Notably, the Lions had to hire two new coordinators this season after the departure of Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, as both took head coaching jobs this offseason. Detroit promoted Kelvin Sheppard to replace Glenn in leading the defense and hired John Morton to helm the offense.
Detroit also hired Tashard Choice, Tyler Roehl, Kacy Rodgers, David Shaw and Bruce Gradkowski to help overcome losses to the staff. Choice will coach the running backs, Roehl will lead the tight ends and Rodgers has taken over the defensive line. Shaw will serve as the passing game coordinator, and Gradkowski will take over as an offensive assistant.
Roehl and Choice join the coaching staff from the collegiate ranks, having been at Iowa State and Texas previously. Rodgers joins the Lions after six years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Shaw returns to the sidelines after spending last season as a personnel executive with the Denver Broncos, while Gradkowski was the offensive coordinator for the UFL's St. Louis Battlehawks.
The Lions had to account for a number of departures on their staff. Passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand, tight ends coach Steve Heiden and assistant defensive line coach Cam Davis joined Glenn’s staff with the Jets. Meanwhile, wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett departed to join Johnson with the Bears.
Engstrand was believed to be a top candidate for the Lions' offensive coordinator, but ultimately will be in that role under Glenn with the Jets.
Defensive line coach Terrell Williams also left Detroit this offseason, as he departed to join Mike Vrabel as the New England Patriots’ defensive coordinator.
