2025 NFL coaching carousel: Tracking Detroit Lions staff changes

With Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson gone, we’re tracking all of the shifting parts of the Detroit Lions’ 2025 coaching staff.

We’re adjusting our 2025 NFL coaching tracker now that some of the dust has settled. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is now the head coach of the Chicago Bears. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is off to be the New York Jets’ next head coach.

As the two continue to build their staff—and other teams seek out some Lions coaches—the Lions will have to adjust and find new faces for their organization. So instead of tracking the fate of the other NFL head coaching jobs, this post will now focus on the Lions’ staff: who’s in, who’s out, and who has interviewed for their coaching vacancies. We’ll keep some of the head coach information for historical tracking purposes, but we’ve pushed most of that news to the bottom of the page. The Lions-related matters are at the top of the page for your convenience.

Latest news:

1/23: Lions assistant QB coach J.T. Barrett hired as Bears QB coach

1/23: Lions WR coach Antwaan Randle El hired as Bears WR/AHC

1/23: Lions OL coach Hank Fraley to return!

• 1/22: Lions interviewing Bucs LB coach Larry Foote for DC job

1/22: Lions hiring Bucs DL coach Kacy Rodgers as new DL coach

1/22: Aaron Glenn hired as Jets head coach

1/22: Lions DL coach Terrell Williams hired as Patriots DC

• 1/21: Hank Fraley to have second interview with Seahawks
• 1/21: Jets hoping to hire Aaron Glenn on Tuesday

1/20: Ben Johnson hired as Bears head coach

Lions coaching losses

• Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (Bears HC)
• Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (Jets HC)
• Assistant QB coach J.T. Barrett (Bears QB coach)
• WR coach Antwaan Randle El (Bears WR coach/assistant HC)
• DL coach Terrell Williams (Patriots DC)

Lions coaching adds:

• DL coach Kacy Rodgers (former Bucs DL coach)

Lions coaching promotions

• OL coach Hank Fraley now OL coach/run game coordinator

Lions coaching vacancies

Offensive coordinator:

• No candidates yet

Defensive coordinator:

Candidates:

• Bucs ILB coach/pass game coordinator Larry Foote (interview scheduled)

WR coach

• No candidates yet

Assistant QB coach

• No candidates yet

Lions coaches who are candidates elsewhere

Deshea Townsend (DB coach)

Teams interested:

• San Francisco 49ers — completed interview for DC position (1/9) 49ers hired Robert Saleh

Jett Modkins (Assistant Special Teams coach)

Teams interested:

• San Francisco 49ers — completed interview for special teams coordinator position (1/12)

Chris Spielman

Teams interested:

• New York Jets — Interviewed (1/11) for GM job

Head coach openings:

New Orleans Saints

• Aaron Glenn: Interviewed (1/10) — In-person interview (1/22)
• Ben Johnson: Nothing yet

Interviewed candidates:

• Giants OC Mike Kafka — second interview
• Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver — second interview
• Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi
• [Bills OC...