The Dan Campbell tree has sprouted already. Which Detroit Lions coach is ready to take the next step?
The Detroit Lions , for the first time—really ever—have themselves a coaching tree. Dan Campbell has two major branches now, with Ben Johnson the head coach of the Chicago Bears , and Aaron Glenn the coach of the New York Jets . But it would be foolish to think that’s where the trees will be cut short.
With the Lions’ coaching staff now reloaded with fresh faces, you can’t help but wonder: who is next? Which Detroit coach will get their next opportunity as a coordinator or head coach? That is one of the main questions on this week’s Midweek Mailbag podcast.
Some candidates are obvious. Kelvin Sheppard has been on a speedy rise since entering the NFL ranks as the Lions’ outside linebackers coach in 2021. But he’s probably still a couple years away from getting serious consideration as a head coach. Assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery may be the most ready to take the jump, as he’s clearly got that “it” factor, and has a long history coaching multiple different positions.
But don’t sleep on some other candidates. Defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend quietly improved Detroit’s secondary this past year, and he parlayed that into a defensive coordinator interview with the 49ers this offseason. And could new pass game coordinator David Shaw resurrect his head coaching career after 12 years head-manning Stanford just a few years back?
Erik Schlitt and I discuss our favorite Lions coaching candidates who could be on the verge of their next big break on this week’s show. Our discussion begins at the 25:30 mark of the podcast version of the show.
Other topics this week:
- 3:30 — Will the Lions use the franchise or transition tag?
- 10:30 — Could John Morton be a “bridge” offensive coordinator for another internal option?
- 22:50 — Would Dan Campbell, Brad Holmes leave for any other job?
- 33:50 — Which new position coach will have the biggest impact?
- 37:10 — Any free agents (external or internal) who could come to Detroit based on new coaches?
- 40:05 — What will the Lions be looking for in defensive linemen with their new coaching staff? Which first-round prospects are schematic fits?
- 46:00 — Which Lions players could be sneaky candidates for contract extensions in 2025?
- 48:35 — Which starter drafted by this regime will be the first to leave in free agency?
- 52:20 — Who is more likely to be on the roster in 2026: Malcolm Rodriguez or Derrick Barnes?
You can check out the show on any podcasting platform or catch the replays on our Twitch and YouTube pages.