Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery not leaving for coordinator post

After he interviewed for the Buccaneers offensive coordinator post, Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery will be staying put.

In a fairly weird, quick turn, just-hired Detroit Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery interviewed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator job on Monday. It seemed unlikely he’d get the job, if only because he was such a late entrant into a process that approached double-digit interviewed candidates.

The Buccaneers wanting to interview, and ultimately interviewing, Montgomery is a sign of how well thought of he is around the league It further confirmed how good a hire he was for the Lions and head coach Dan Campbell.

On Wednesday night, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the Buccaneers have made their offensive coordinator choice.

Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Dave Canales.

There are still some openings around the league as coaching staffs are filled out. But Montgomery is not a known candidate for any other coordinator job, so he’s staying with the Lions barring something unforeseen.

Not to mention how bad a form it’d be to keep interviewing for other jobs before even really doing anything with the Lions. Even if it’s easy to understand on a professional level.

The Lions got their guy to replace Duce Staley in Scottie Montgomery

Montgomery is replacing Duce Staley as Lions assistant head coach and running backs coach. Staley is headed to the Carolina Panthers in the same job, as he moves closer to his mom who lives in South Carolina and is reportedly dealing with some health issues.

Montgomery most recently spent the last two seasons as the running backs coach for the Indianapolis Colts. But his coaching resume is wide-ranging.

Montgomery has been a wide receivers coach at the pro and college level. He’s also been an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the college level, and a college head coach. He was a great hire for the Lions when it was reported and announced. After a daliance with an offensive coordinator gig, he’s still a great hire.