5 dark horse candidates to replace Anthony Lynn as Lions offensive coordinator

2. Josh Gattis, University of Michigan offensive coordinator

Full credit to John Maakaron of SI.com for this one, but Gattis does make some sense as a candidate to take over the Lions’ offense. As passed along by Maakaron, the Wolverines’ offensive coordinator seems to align well with the approach Campbell has shown himself to prefer offensively.

“Well, the commitment to run has been tremendous for us. Obviously, coming into the season, we felt really great about who Hassan (Haskins) and Blake (Corum) were,” Gattis said earlier this season. “….. — but we wanted to make a commitment to the run game. We wanted to establish that.”

Campbell would do well to find someone who has a different offensive philosophy and approach than he does. But that doesn’t necessarily feel likely, so Gattis may quickly straddle the line between dark horse candidate and a more realistic candidate to replace Lynn.

1. Nate Scheelhaase, Iowa State run game coordinator/running backs coach/wide receivers coach

After coaching running backs (2018) and wide receivers (2019-2020) at Iowa State previously, Scheelhaase took on a three-pronged role of run game coordinator/running backs coach/wide receivers coach under Matt Campbell this year. He has had star pupils in Breece Hall and Xavier Hutchinson, who both may have a future in the NFL.

Scheelhaase played quarterback at the University of Illinois before moving into coaching in 2015. A move to the NFL so quickly would be a huge jump for the 31-year old. But it can’t hurt Campbell to consider any and all options. Scheelhaase is outside the box in a way that just might work.