Dan Campbell knew it was coming at some point, and it's here now. Ben Johnson is gone to be the head coach of the Chicago Bears, and the Detroit Lions need a new offensive coordinator.
Before the news came that Johnson was gone, Campbell was clear about what he'd be seeking in a new offensive coordinator. Quarterback Jared Goff will have input, the general philosophy will stay in place and Campbell wants the terminology to mostly remain as well. A new coordinator will also have to be ok with Campbell being involved, with a lesson learned from being too hands-off with his first offensive coordinator (Anthony Lynn).
All of that naturally pushes the conversation about who will replace Johnson toward internal candidates. Running backs coach Scottie Montgomery and passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand are at the top of that list, though Engstrand could follow Johnson to Chicago. Another internal candidate, offensive line coach Hank Fraley, seems like a serious candidate for an offensive coordinator post elsewhere (and he could follow Johnson to the Bears).
Campbell made it clear he would not be in a rush to replace Johnson (or Aaron Glenn), and outside candidates would be considered. So let's look deeper there.
5 dark horse candidates to replace Ben Johnson as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
5. Tony Franklin
Current job: Louisiana Tech offensive coordinator
If Goff's involvement or preference will be a tipping point in the offensive coordinator hire, and it may very well be with how well he and Johnson worked together, Franklin fits that mold.
Franklin has been an offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in multiple spots at the collegiate level going back to 1999. That includes three seasons at Cal from 2013-2015, also know all three years of Goff's career there as he became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft. Over his final two seasons at Cal, under Franklin's guidance, Goff had 78 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions.
Franklin just got hired back at Louisiana Tech, where was the offensive coordinator for three years before going to Cal, in December, and he's never coached in the NFL. But if there's an opportunity to reunite with Goff, maybe he'd jump.