ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions are the third team in the last 15 years to lose their offensive and defensive coordinators to NFL head coaching openings in the same offseason.
Former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was hired by the Chicago Bears earlier this week. He was introduced Wednesday afternoon, then about two hours later, Aaron Glenn landed the head coaching gig with the New York Jets.
On top of that, one of the team’s top potential internal candidates to replace Glenn, defensive line coach Terrell Williams, has already landed the defensive coordinator position with the New England Patriots.
Dan Campbell isn’t surprised by any of this, saying he expected to lose both coordinators earlier this week. The Lions head coach laid out his process for picking a new offensive coordinator, and then talked about what he wants to see from a candidate, internal or external.
“But I think we’ve got guys on staff that I think are more than qualified and would be outstanding in those roles, but that does not mean that I’m not looking outside either,” Campbell said. “So, I want what I believe is going to be as close to what we have been as possible. And we don’t lose what we’re about and our identity, and like what you just asked, we’re going to stay true to who we are.
“And if you’re somebody that doesn’t feel comfortable with that, then no, I don’t — this isn’t the job for you.”
See below for a rundown of six candidates to watch:
RELATED: Another one: Detroit Lions losing defensive coordinator to Jets
RELATED: Ben Johnson thankful for Lions, knew he wanted to stay in NFC North
Internal names to watch:
Detroit Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard shouts to players as the Detroit Lions host the Tennessee Titans at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 27 2024.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Lions LBs coach Kelvin Sheppard
Glenn said it himself last month that he had been preparing Kelvin Sheppard to be a defensive coordinator. Sheppard has cemented himself as a rising coach to watch and might just be the clubhouse leader to replace Glenn in Detroit.
There are also reports that Sheppard could draw interest for a promotion around the league, so the Lions might need to make this move to keep him. Sheppard might be young (37) and only seven years removed from playing in the league. But he commands respect when he speaks, and he’s earned a ton of praise in his development as a coach.
Sheppard has been with the Lions since Campbell and Brad Holmes took over and has been on a steady rise ever since. He knows the scheme. He knows the players. He knows what Campbell wants, and that’s important.
“And having Shep there with me, he’s been there from the beginning, and he knows exactly how I think – exactly,” Glenn said last month. “And that’s a guy that I’ve been actually mentoring to be in the DC role at some point.
“I think he’s damn near close, if not there, to be ready to do that. He’s a damn good coach, he’s fiery, everything that you need as a linebacker coach. He’s that, and there are certain coaches on the staff that I think have to be bulldogs, and he’s one of the those coaches at that position.”
FILE – This is a 2024 photo of Deshea Townsend of the Detroit Lions NFL football team. This image reflects the Detroit Lions active roster as of June 3, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo) APAP
Lions CBs coach Deshea Townsend
Deshea Townsend interviewed with the San Francisco 49ers for their defensive coordinator job earlier this month. He just finished his first season with the Lions as cornerbacks coach. That’s an important role on this staff, and it speaks volumes that Glenn, a longtime NFL cornerback, trusted him to lead his DBs.
Townsend played 13 seasons in the league, winning two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s coached defensive backs at the college and professional level, including the last three years with the passing game coordinator tag. If Campbell wants to keep things as close to what they were last season, then Townsend could fulfill that mission.
This is a 2011 photo of Jim O’Neil of the New York Jets NFL football team. This image reflects the New York Jets active roster as of Monday, Aug. 8, 2011 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lions defensive assistant Jim O’Neil
Jim O’Neil might not have outside name recognition, but his work with the safeties this season is hard to ignore. Kerby Joseph led the NFL with nine interceptions and was named a first-team All-Pro.
He served as the defensive coordinator at Northwestern for two seasons before landing in Detroit. He also was the defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns (2014-2015) and San Francisco 49ers (2016).
That experience and familiarity make him a name to watch around these parts.
External names to watch:
New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen gestures during NFL football training camp, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Irvine, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)AP
Ex-Saints and Raiders head coach Dennis Allen
An easy one, right? Dennis Allen worked with Campbell and Glenn in New Orleans, has experience as a head coach, and is well-respected as a defensive coordinator.
According to national reports, Allen is a name to watch for Johnson’s staff in Chicago. However, given his relationship with Campbell and his ability to pick up where Glenn left off, the Lions should probably pick up the phone and talk to the veteran coach.
Allen served as defensive coordinator under Sean Payton for six years in New Orleans and then replaced him as head coach. He’s also a Texas A&M alum who played with Campbell for a season in College Station, Texas.
“Certainly, I coached with him, I played with him at A&M, coached with him for five years at the Saints,” Campbell said in 2023. “He’s a heck of a coach. Very detail-oriented, tough-minded, and the team plays that way.”
Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen looks on during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images)Getty Images
Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen
Ryan Nielsen remains with the Jaguars as the team searches for a new head coach. Nielsen and Campbell (and Glenn) spent three seasons together with the Saints. The Jaguars defensive coordinator was the defensive line coach and assistant head coach while in New Orleans.
The connections and track record are there. Nielsen was Allen’s co-defensive coordinator in 2022, then served in that role with the Atlanta Falcons and this past season in Jacksonville.
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks stands on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)AP
Ex-49ers defensive coordinator and Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks
Steve Wilks’ name is being floated around as one to watch with Glenn in New York, too. He’s been the head man and a long-tenured defensive coordinator who last worked with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023. Since then, Wilks has been out of the league for a year, serving the Charlotte 49ers program as a volunteer.
- BETTING: Check out our guide to the best Michigan sportsbooks, where our team of sports betting experts has reviewed the experience, payout speed, parlay options and quality of odds for multiple sportsbooks.
