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:

• 1/28: Jets closing in on hiring Tanner Engstrand as next OC
• 1/28: Lions hire John Morton as next OC
• 1/26: Lions reportedly have interviewed Broncos’ passing game coordinator for OC
• 1/25: Lions promote Shaun Dion Hamilton to LB coach
• 1/25 Lions promote Kelvin Sheppard to DC
• 1/24: Lions assistant QB coach J.T. Barrett hired as Bears QB coach
• 1/24: Lions WR coach Antwaan Randle El hired as Bears WR/AHC
• 1/24: 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 promotions

• LB coach Kelvin Sheppard now defensive coordinator
• OL coach Hank Fraley now OL coach/run game coordinator
• Assistant LB coach Shaun Dion Hamilton now LB coach

Lions coaching adds:

• DL coach Kacy Rodgers (former Bucs DL coach)
• OC John Morton (former Broncos pass game coordinator)

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 vacancies

Offensive coordinator: JOHN MORTON HIRED

Candidates:

• Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton (interviewed)

Defensive coordinator: KELVIN SHEPPARD PROMOTED

Candidates:

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

Assistant QB coach

• No candidates yet

WR coach

• No candidates yet

LB coach: Shaun Dion Hamilton promoted

Assistant LB coach:

• No candidates yet

Lions coaches who are candidates elsewhere

Tanner Engstrand (pass game coordinator)...