Head Coach - Jim Schwartz, 3rd year
Schwartz was named the Lions’ HC after being the Titans’ DC from 2001-’08. TEN had 3 top 10 finishes in total def during that time with 4 top 10 finishes in sks. DET has improved statistically and in the win column each year and went from -18 TO’s in 2009 to +4 in 2010.
Offensive Coordinator - Scott Linehan, 3rd year
Linehan became the Lions’ OC after serving as the Rams’ HC from 2006-’08 as his offenses finished 6th, 24th and 27th respectively. Linehan also operates as the QB coach. He was the Vikings’ OC/QB coach from 2002-’04 where they logged 36 straight games with 300 yds of offense and finished 2nd, 1st and 4th in total offense. In 2005 he was the MIA OC with the #14 offense.
RB Coach - Sam Gash, 5th season
Gash has been the Lions’ RB coach from 2007-’10 where they have earned seven 100 yd rushing performances (31st). In 2006 he was DET’s asst special teams coach. Gash was the Jets’ asst RB/asst special teams coach from 2005-’06 after a 12 year career as a FB in the NFL.
WR Coach - Shawn Jefferson, 7th year
Jefferson was a 9th RD DC by Houston in 1991 and had a 13 year career in the NFL as a WR with DET, ATL, NE and SD. He finished with 470 rec (14.9) and 15 rec TD. He joined the Lions as an offensive asst from 2005-’07 before being tabbed as the WR’s coach in 2008. The Lions have had sixteen 100 yd receiving gms since he took over (14th).
OL Coach - George Yarno, 3rd year
Yarno was Washington St’s OL coach from 2003-’07 before becoming TB’s asst OL coach in 2008. DET gave up 43 sacks in 2009 or 1 for every 13.6 att with 3 different QB’s. In 2010 the OL allowed just 27 sacks or 1 every 23.4 pass att with 3 different QB’s.
Defensive Coordinator - Gunther Cunningham, 3rd year
Cunningham was the Chiefs’ DC from 2004-’08 when they finished 31st, 25th, 16th, 13th and 31st. Prior to that he was the Titans’ asst HC/LB’s coach from 2001-’03. At DET his defenses have improved from 32nd in yards and points allowed to 21st and 19th respectively.
DL Coach - Kris Kocurek, 3rd year
After serving as the asst DL coach for Detroit in 2009, Kocurek was promoted to DL coach for 2010. With an upgrade in talent the Lions pulled in 44 sacks (6th) or 1 for every 11.8 pass att vs 26 sacks (29th) or 1 for every 21 pass att in 2009.
LB Coach - Matt Burke, 3rd year
Burke was with the Titans as an administrative asst (2004-’05) then was promoted to defensive asst/QC coach for 2006-’08 before joining the Lions. DET’s run defense held steady from 127 ypg (4.4) and 18 rushing TD allowed in 2009 to 125 ypg (4.5) and 18 rush TD in 2010.
Secondary Coach - Tim Walton, 3rd year
Walton was the DC at Memphis in 2008 before joining the Lions. He was Miami, FL’s DB coach from 2004-’06 before being named their DC in 2007. In 2009 DET was 32nd in pass defense with a 35-9 ratio. They improved to 16th in 2010 with a 23-14 ratio.
Special Teams Coach - Danny Crossman, 2nd year
Crossman was the STC for CAR from 2007-’09 and also worked with the LB’s. His special teams units finished 21st, 20th and 32nd in our rankings with CAR. DET improved from 23rd to 15th in Crossman’s first season.
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