Detroit Lions have officially announced their coaching staff changes

admin | February 22, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The Detroit Lions announced coaching changes on Wednesday.

The Detroit Lions have hired Terrell Williams as defensive line coach and Deshea Townsend as secondary coach, according to recent reports.

On Wednesday, the organization announced the hiring of Williams as the new defensive line coach/run game coordinator and Townsend as the new defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator. Townsend will replace Brian Duker, who left to join the Miami Dolphins.

A third new hire, Jim O’Neil, will join as a defensive assistant.

O’Neil most recently served as Northwestern’s defensive coordinator (2021 and 2022), but he previously worked as an NFL assistant with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets.

O’Neil also has three years of NFL defensive coordinator experience, two with the Browns (2014-2015) and one with the 49ers (2016). He has largely coached defensive backs throughout his coaching tenure, which appears to drive

Detroit Lions announce coaching staff changes; six coaches gone

Six coaches, many on the defensive side of the ball, are no longer listed on the Lions’ website.

Senior offensive assistant Jim Hostler
Defensive quality control coach Wayne Blair
Defensive line coach John Scott Jr.
Cornerbacks coach Dre’ Bly
Defensive backs coach Brian Duker
Senior defensive assistant John Fox

Duker, as previously indicated, left to become the Dolphins’ secondary coach and passing game coordinator. Williams will take over for Scott. According to initial reports, Townsend will be the Lions’ cornerbacks coach, however despite having a bigger title (in place of Duker), Bly has left.

That should be Jim Hostler and defensive QC Wayne Blair had their contracts expire. John Fox also no longer with the team. https://t.co/KgonFYUa6A

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) February 21, 2024

The Lions do appear to have some vacancies left to fill on their 2024 coaching staff-cornerbacks coach, defensive quality control and an offensive assistant. But in terms of the most notable changes and hires, previously reported (Williams and Townsend) and not (O’Neil), those are now official.

I imagine the Lions aren't done adding to the staff. Could see Ben Johnson mining the combine for another senior offensive assistant, someone with a different background to expand the team's schematic possibilities. O'Neil has DB background, but maybe another coach in that room.

— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) February 21, 2024