The Detroit Lions are already gearing up for the 2026-27 season, and it can’t come soon enough, following the team’s difficult 2025-26 standing. In the last season, the team fell to a 9-8 record and ended up at the bottom of the NFC North.
So, it’s not a surprise that after that dismal run, Lions head coach Dan Campbell decided to make major coaching changes. The first was one was hiring offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to take the helm in January 2026, replacing John Morton.
Petzing is in his 14th NFL season going into the 2026-27 run, and his previous professional experience includes stints with the Cleveland Browns as quarterbacks coach, tight ends coach and a football operations intern and with the Minnesota Vikings as wide receivers coach, assistant quarterbacks coach and assistant wide receivers coach, according to team research.
Now, the Detroit Lions have made a major coaching announcement for the upcoming season.
Detroit Lions Announce Full Slate of Coaches for the 2026-27 Season
On Monday, February 23, the Detroit Lions officially announced their coaching staff for the 2026-27 season. The staff has some changes from last season.
Campbell, of course, still heads up the staff as the head coach, and Petzing is the offensive coordinator. Kelvin Sheppard will stay in his role as defensive coordinator, and Dave Fipp will oversee special teams as special teams coordinator.
Scottie Montgomery has the role of associate head coach and wide receivers coach, while Jim O’Neil will serve as assistant head coach and safeties coach. The offensive staff includes Mark Brunell (quarterbacks), Tashard Choice (running backs), Hank Fraley (run game coordinator and offensive line), Bruce Gradkowski (assistant wide receivers), Mike Kafka (pass game coordinator), Justin Mesa (offensive quality control), Steve Oliver (tight ends), Dan Skipper (offensive assistant) and Marques Tuiasosopo (offensive assistant). So, it’s a long list of talented names.
So, what about the defensive side? That staff features Caleb Collins and August Mangin as defensive assistants, David Corrao as senior defensive assistant/outside linebackers, Shaun Dion Hamilton as linebackers coach, Kacy Rodgers as run game coordinator/defensive line, Deshea Townsend as passing game coordinator/defensive backs and Dre Thompson as WCF minority coaching assistant/defensive quality control.
As for the final roster of names, Jett Modkins will serve as assistant special teams coach. For the strength and conditioning department, the Lions have tapped Josh Schuler as head strength and conditioning coach, with Jill Costanza serving as assistant strength and conditioning and director of sports science with assistants Cam Josse and Thadeus Jackson. Finally, Jesse Giambra will be chief of staff and head coach administration.
Dan Skipper of the Detroit Lions is Back in a New Role for 2026-27
A familiar name on the staff is Dan Skipper. He’s stepping into his his first coaching position in 2026-27, after an extensive professional playing career.
“Originally signing with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas in 2017, Skipper retired following the 2025 NFL season after accumulating 69 games played (16 starts) in stints with the Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders and Indianapolis Colts,” the team said in an official statement.
So, meet the new Detroit Lions coaches. Now, let’s get to work.
