A relatively stable coaching situation with the Detroit Lions took a big turn on Wednesday. Assistant head coach and RB coach Duce Staley is leaving Detroit to join the new staff with the Carolina Panthers.
Staley spent the last two seasons serving under Dan Campbell. The longtime NFL RB was known for his blunt, gruff style, something that the Hard Knocks cameras captured well. He coaxed a great season out of Jamaal Williams, who led the NFL in touchdowns in 2022.
The timing is interesting. The Lions brought in Steve Heiden as the new TE coach on Monday, leaving Tanner Engstrand with the sole role of passing game coordinator after Engstrand held both roles in 2022. Staley’s departure leaves the assistant head coach title open to offer as a way to retain a coach like Engstrand who could be in demand by other teams looking to fill out a new staff.
There is no obvious replacement in-house to replace Staley as the RB coach. Special teams assistant Jett Modkins is one potential name to know.
