On Thursday it was announced that the Detroit Lions were making another coaching hire. This time they're bringing in Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice to take over that very same role with Detroit.
This is big proof of two things. The first one is that the Lions' offense does not plan to change its philosophy just like head coach Dan Campbell said at the end of the season.
“No, I don’t see philosophy changing. No, I think we’re – what we are is what we are, and we’ve been that way since I’ve been here. So, does that mean a couple of things get tweaked? A couple of things will get tweaked, just the nature of new coordinators if that happens because you want it to be kind of their flavor, their style with it, but yet, what I want is what we’re going to do, and what we’re about and what (Lions QB Jared) Goff’s about and the runners and what we are on defense and the nature of the way we play."
The Lions are going to be a team that continues to establish the run and let that dictate what they do with their offense when they pass the ball. Moving Scottie Montgomery to the receivers coach job is not going to change much there. A heavy reliance on blocking from the receiving room is still going to be a big deal.
The second thing is that this really shows that the Lions are going to be putting their foot on the gas pedal with Jahmyr Gibbs going forward. There's been a split with David Montgomery and in many ways, that will continue, but this is Gibbs' backfield now. Hiring someone he trusts is a big show of that.
Choice was Gibbs running back coach at Georiga Tech and according to Gibbs, Choice was the reason he went there in the first place despite having 28 offers to go elsewhere.
Gibbs and Choice formed a tight bond during the recruiting process. It was Choice that helped Gibbs and his adoptive parents realize that he was special and that he was a first-round talent. Choice has been a mentor to Gibbs ever since.
After some losing seasons at Georgia Tech, Gibbs decided that he would transfer to Alabama. Choice supported the move and was not too far behind him. He left for the running backs coach job at Texas shortly after.
The relationship has continued since. Choice was the second call that Gibbs got on draft night. Right after he was on the phone with the Lions, he was on the phone with Choice and much like a proud parent, Choice cried happy tears.
Having these two back together is a big deal because it shows the trust the team has in Gibbs and it will make the already pretty confident Gibbs even more confident knowing that he has one of his earliest supporters on the next highest level right there with him.
Gibbs wasn't the only running back Choice got to the first round either. In that same draft, he had Bijan Robinson go just a few picks earlier. Choice also has Jaydon Blue coming out in this year's draft. He's unlikely to be a first-round pick, but he'll get picked for sure.
