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The Detroit Lions are making another addition to their coaching staff. Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz reported on February 8 that the Lions are hiring Deshea Townsend to join their 2024 coaching staff.
Schultz initially reported that Townsend was joining Detroit’s staff as pass game coordinator. But Schultz then clarified that Townsend would hold a defensive position on the team’s staff.
Pro Football talk reported that Townsend’s role will be defensive passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach. Townsend held the same two positions with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.
The Lions have yet to officially announce the hire. Therefore, it’s unclear whether Lions 2023 cornerback coach Dré Bly will remain on the staff in a different role.
The 2023 season was Bly’s first as Lions cornerbacks coach.
Townsend began his NFL career as a fourth-round pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1998. He played 13 seasons and won two Super Bowls in Pittsburgh.
Detroit Lions Hire Deshea Townsend to Coaching Staff: Report
Townsend served as a reserve cornerback with the Steelers for five years. During that time, he only made the occasional start.
But in 2003, he started eight games. He then became a full-time starter for the NFL’s No. 1 defense in 2004 when the Steelers went 15-1.
Townsend predominantly started from 2004-07. He moved back into a reserve role in 2008, but he served as the nickel cornerback on a defense that again finished No. 1 in the league.
During that five-year stretch where Townsend started at least four games (at least 12 contests from 2004-07), the Steelers won two Super Bowls.
Townsend played his final season in Pittsburgh during 2009. He ended his career with the Indianapolis Colts in 2010.
In 191 NFL games, Townsend posted 21 interceptions, 3 of which he returned for touchdowns. He also had 15.5 sacks and 112 pass defenses.
Townsend began his coaching career as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Arizona Cardinals in 2011. After two seasons in Arizona, he then became cornerbacks coach at Mississippi State.
He returned to the NFL as Tennessee Titans defensive backs coach in 2016. He also coached for the New York Giants and Chicago Bears before landing the passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach role with the Jaguars in 2022.
The Jaguars fired Townsend, along with defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and several other defensive assistants, on January 8.
Lions Only Adding to Coaching Staff
The media somewhat hyped an upcoming upheaval to Detroit’s coaching staff prior to the season ending. But that’s far from what’s happened through the first couple weeks of the offseason.
After receiving considerable head coaching consideration, both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn are returning. Wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El also interviewed for a promotion — Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator — but did not land the job.
The only changes to Detroit’s coaching staff 10 days into the offseason are additions. Prior to Townsend, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the Lions hired Terrell Williams as defensive line and run game coordinator.
The Lions, though are in a similar situation with the Williams hire as they are with Townsend. It’s unclear what will happen to 2023 Lions defensive line coach John Scott.
For what it’s worth, Scott and Bly are both still listed as assistants on Detroit’s team website.
More changes are likely coming, including potential subtractions. But with Townsend, the Lions have added another quality assistant who reached the NFL mountain top twice as a player.
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