Once again, the Detroit Lions coordinators are in-demand for head coaching interviews this year. The team's run to the NFC Championship Game has compressed and extended the window for Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to do interviews, as the league's hiring process still needs some work.
Having Johnson and Glenn so in-demand for head coaching jobs is the price of the Lions' success, as other teams want to get themselves a piece of that success. Dan Campbell's savvy hiring of assistant coaches is also deserves credit for Johnson and Glenn's advancement chances.
As a tentacle of Johnson and Glenn's status as top head coach candidates, other Lions' assistant coaches could be wanted by new head coaches around the league for their staffs. Or if Johnson or Glenn get a head coaching job, they could want to take a coach or two with them.
Here are five other Lions assistants Johnson and/or Glenn could take with them if they get a head coaching job this year.
5 Detroit Lions assistants Ben Johnson or Aaron Glenn could steal from Dan Campbell
5. Mark Brunell, Quarterbacks coach
Before becoming the Lions' quarterbacks coach in 2021, Brunell's only coaching experience was at the high school level; first as an assistant at Providence School in Jacksonville, Florida (2012), then as the head coach at Episcopal School of Jacksonville (2013-2020).
But Brunell played quarterback in the NFL for 18 seasons, and his role in Jared Goff's career resurgence should not be discounted.
The question with Brunell would be the step up to calling plays, should he be wanted by Glenn or Johnson (or another new head coach) to do that as an offensive coordinator.
Brunell is to some degree a candidate to replace Johnson as the Lions' offensive coordinator if he leaves. But maybe Johnson would want to bring Brunell with him on his new staff, and Glenn could be willing to give him the reigns as the offensive coordinator and play caller.