Detroit Lions and inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone part ways

After just one season on the coaching staff, the Detroit Lions have parted ways with inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone.

The Detroit Lions will have another change on their coaching staff, and not because someone is leaving for a promotion. According to Justin Rogers of The Detroit News, the team has parted ways with inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone.

It’s unclear if DeLeone was fired, he resigned or if it’s a “mutual parting of ways.” But in any case, DeLeone is gone after just one season on the Lions’ coaching staff. After the release of Jamie Collins fairly early in the season, a career-year from Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Alex Anzalone having an every snap role until injuries hit and rookie fourth-round pick Derrick Barnes showing some flashes were positive marks of DeLeone’s tutelage.

Prior to coming to Detroit to join Dan Campbell’s staff, DeLeone spent two seasons on the Chicago Bears coaching staff. He has also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs (2013-2018) and New York Jets (2012).

Who could replace Mark DeLeone as Lions’ ILB coach?

In his full report, Rogers mentioned two internal candidates to replace DeLeone.

Stephen Thomas has been with the Lions since 2019 as a defensive quality control coach. But he coached inside linebackers and served as special teams coordinator at the college level over two stints at Princeton totaling six years. When the Lions were down at the Senior Bowl, with coaches able to bump up to higher positions, Thomas stepped into DeLeone’s role.

Lions’ director of football research David Corrao has held various coaching positions in college and the NFL prior to the last four seasons in his current job. He some time coaching linebackers with the Miami Dolphins, where he overlapped with Campbell, over his stretch with them from 2008-2015. Corrao also worked in an elevated coaching role down at the Senior Bowl, which feels like a further sign the Lions were preparing to replace DeLeone.