Lions RB coach Scottie Montgomery participating in NFL accelerator program

New Detroit Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery will have an opportunity to raise his profile as part of the NFL’s Coach Accelerator program.

When running backs coach Duce Staley left to be on the Carolina Panthers staff and to be closer to his ailing mother, the Detroit Lions landed a well-regarded replacement in Scottie Montgomery. Now, as part of the effort to help increase the diversity of candidates, Montgomery will be part of the NFL’s Coach Accelerator program.

The program will take place at next week’s league meetings in Minneapolis. Last year, the first year of the program, the Lions were represented by defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn on the coaching side and assistant general manager Ray Agnew on the front office side.

Montgomery has interviewed for multiple offensive coordinator positions over the last couple years, including with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after taking his new job with the Lions in February. The next step would be head coaching interviews.

The point of this program, as the league says, is to “increase exposure between owners, executives, and diverse coaching talent, providing ample opportunity to develop and build upon their relationships.” The nomination process changed this year to allow teams to nominate people from outside their own organization.

Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery has an extensive coaching resume

Montgomery spent four seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver. Starting in 2006, back at his alma mater (Duke), here’s a look at his coaching resume up to landing with the Lions this offseason.

Duke, Wide receivers coach (2006-2009)
Pittsburgh Steelers, Wide receivers coach (2010-2012)
Duke, Associate head coach/offensive coordinator/passing game/wide receivers coach (2013)
Duke, Associate head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (2014-2015)
East Carolina, head coach (2016-2018)
Maryland, Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (2019-2020)
Indianapolis Colts, Running backs coach (2021-2022)

Time will tell if Montgomery eventually becomes an NFL head coach. But being selected for a program that will help expand his network can only help, as it’s more than mere lip service by the league to widen the swath of qualified candidates.