With Duce Staley leaving for a spot on the new coaching staff in Carolina, who could replace him as the Detroit Lions running backs coach?
There was once concern about offensive coordinator Ben Johnson leaving for a head coaching job, but he’s staying after taking himself off the interview circuit. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has had two head coaching interviews, but it seems most likely he’ll be staying too.
But the Detroit Lions are indeed losing a coach from Dan Campbell’s staff. On Wednesday ESPN’s Dan Graziano was first to report assistant head coach and running backs coach Duce Staley is leaving for a job on Frank Reich’s new staff with the Carolina Panthers.
Justin Rogers of The Detroit News added Staley’s mother is having some health issues. He’s a South Carolina native, and a former star running back at the East Coast version of “USC”–South Carolina. With an offensive coordinator opening in Carolina until Reich fills it, and that situation with his mom in mind, the Lions let Staley go and be closer to home.
The #Panthers have requested permission to speak with #Jaguars pass game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter for their OC job, source said. They’ve done the same for #Lions assistant head coach Duce Staley for an elevated position on their staff.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 1, 2023
So the Lions now indeed have a notable void to fill on their coaching staff with Staley’s departure. The process to fill that spot has presumably already started somewhat, as Staley eyed leaving and made his situation known personally as well as professionally.
But here are four potential candidates to replace Staley as Lions running backs coach.