Detroit Lions lose position coach to New England Patriots

Detroit Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams is leaving the team to be the Patriots defensive coordinator.

The Detroit Lions have another coaching vacancy to fill.

The New England Patriots are reportedly hiring Lions run game coordinator/defensive line coach Terrell Williams to be their new defensive coordinator. There, Williams will reunite recently-hired Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Williams and Vrabel coached together for six years with the Tennessee Titans —Vrabel as the head coach, Williams as the defensive line coach. In their final year together at Tennessee, Vrabel added “assistant head coach” to Williams’ title, so it’s no surprise Vrabel made a hard play to get Williams back.

Williams’ time with the Lions ends after just a single season, but his impact was certainly made on Detroit’s defensive roster. He helped several young players along the defensive line, including Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, and rookie Mekhi Wingo. Wingo took to Twitter earlier on Tuesday to express his fear of losing Williams.

Williams was a well-respected coach by the Detroit Lions organization. He shared a history with Dan Campbell, with both having served on the Miami Dolphins ’ coaching staff back in 2015.

“I think he is the best d-line coach in the league, ” Campbell said last year. “If he’s not, he’s certainly right up there.”

It’s yet another tough loss for the Lions coaching staff, and another moment in which Campbell will have to flex his hiring muscle. The Lions have will now be on their fourth different defensive line coach under Campbell after losing Williams—moving on from John Scott Jr. after a season, and Todd Wash leaving after two seasons.