The Detroit Lions saw significant coaching turnover this offseason, losing seven assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Both Johnson and Glenn took multiple staff members with them to their new head coaching roles, leaving Dan Campbell with the task of rebuilding his coaching staff.
John Morton and Kelvin Sheppard step into key roles as the new offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively. Morton, who previously served as the Denver Broncos’ passing game coordinator for the past two seasons, takes over the offense, while Sheppard earns a promotion from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator.
On Tuesday, the Lions officially unveiled their 2025 coaching staff, featuring several new additions and updated titles for existing members.
Detroit Lions Reveal 2025 Coaching Staff
Offensive Staff:
- John Morton – Offensive Coordinator
- Scottie Montgomery – Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers Coach
- David Shaw – Passing Game Coordinator
- Mark Brunell – Quarterbacks Coach
- Tashard Choice – Running Backs Coach
- Tyler Roehl – Tight Ends Coach
- Seth Ryan – Assistant Tight Ends Coach
- Hank Fraley – Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach
- Steve Oliver – Assistant Offensive Line Coach
- Bruce Gradkowski – Offensive Assistant
- Marques Tuiasosopo – Offensive Assistant
- Justin Mesa – Offensive Quality Control
- Regarding the previously unreported changes:
Marques Tuiasosopo, a former NFL quarterback, has been coaching at the collegiate level since 2009. Most recently, he served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Rice. He also has a connection with John Morton, having played in Oakland when Morton was on staff.
Justin Mesa brings over a decade of experience as a college assistant, with his most recent role being assistant tight ends coach and special teams assistant at Washington State.
- Seth Ryan has transitioned from assistant wide receivers coach to assistant tight ends coach.
Defensive Staff:
- Kelvin Sheppard – Defensive Coordinator
- Kacy Rodgers – Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach
- David Corrao – Senior Defensive Assistant/Outside Linebackers Coach
- Shaun Dion Hamilton – Linebackers Coach
- Deshea Townsend – Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach
- Jim O’Neil – Defensive Assistant/Safeties Coach
- August Mangin – Defensive Assistant
- Caleb Collins – Defensive Assistant
- Dre Thompson – WCF Minority Coaching Assistant/Defensive Quality Control
- Mangin, Collins, and Thompson are newly appointed or promoted staff members. Jim O’Neil, who previously worked unofficially with the Lions’ safeties, now has that role formally added to his title.
- August Mangin spent the past four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, most recently as a special teams quality control and game management specialist. He also shares a connection with Kelvin Sheppard, having played alongside him at LSU.
- Caleb Collins, another LSU alum, was a defensive assistant there from 2018-2019 before serving as outside linebackers coach at Baylor for the past four seasons.
Additionally, Jesse Giambra has received a title change, shifting from Teams Operations Manager/Head Coach Administration to Chief of Staff/Head Coach Administration.