Lions Announce 2025 Coaching Staff: A New Era of Leadership and Development
The Detroit Lions are ushering in a new chapter of leadership as they unveil their coaching staff for the 2025 season. Coming off a strong 2024 campaign, the Lions are determined to build on their momentum and take their team to the next level, with a particular focus on refining their strengths while addressing key areas of improvement.
With the 2025 NFL season on the horizon, Detroit’s front office, led by general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell, has made several strategic decisions regarding the coaching staff to ensure that the team is well-equipped for sustained success. This year’s coaching staff will see familiar faces returning to key roles, as well as new additions that bring fresh perspectives and expertise. Here’s a breakdown of the Lions’ newly announced coaching staff and the vision they’ll bring to the table.
Head Coach: Dan Campbell
Dan Campbell remains at the helm of the Detroit Lions, continuing his tenure as head coach following a successful 2024 season. Known for his fiery passion and no-nonsense approach, Campbell has been instrumental in reshaping the Lions’ culture. He has brought a toughness and physicality to a team that had long been plagued by inconsistency, and his leadership is a big reason why the Lions have emerged as one of the most exciting teams in the NFC.
In 2025, Campbell’s primary task will be to maintain the team’s competitive edge while refining game management and making critical in-game decisions. His ability to connect with players and inspire them to play at their highest level will remain a cornerstone of the Lions’ success. With the team’s sights set on a Super Bowl, Campbell will need to continue balancing his emotional leadership with tactical refinement, particularly in high-pressure situations during the playoffs.
Offensive Coordinator: Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson continues to be a key figure in the Detroit Lions’ coaching staff, retaining his position as offensive coordinator for 2025. Johnson has quickly established himself as one of the brightest young minds in the NFL, helping guide Detroit’s offense to impressive heights last season. Under his watch, the Lions became one of the most dynamic and balanced offenses in the league, blending the run game with a powerful passing attack led by quarterback Jared Goff and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
In 2025, Johnson’s role will be pivotal as he continues to develop Detroit’s offensive identity. He will look to build upon the success of the previous season by implementing more creative play designs, including a greater emphasis on spreading the ball around to multiple playmakers. With the addition of new weapons on offense and the continued growth of Goff, Johnson will be tasked with finding ways to keep opposing defenses guessing while maintaining a well-balanced offensive attack. His ability to adapt to changing circumstances and evolve the offense to meet the demands of playoff football will be one of the key factors in the Lions’ pursuit of a championship.
Defensive Coordinator: Aaron Glenn
Aaron Glenn remains the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, and his role will be crucial as the team looks to solidify its defensive unit heading into 2025. Glenn, a former NFL cornerback, has built a defense that shows flashes of brilliance, but the Lions still need to become more consistent in critical moments. The defense was occasionally porous in 2024, especially against elite quarterbacks and explosive offenses.
Glenn will have his hands full this season, as the Lions need to tighten their coverage, improve their pass rush, and be more disciplined in the secondary. His focus will be on creating turnovers, pressuring the quarterback, and bolstering a defensive backfield that needs more reliability. With rising stars like Aidan Hutchinson and the addition of a potential shutdown cornerback, Glenn will look to develop the Lions’ defense into one that can compete with the league’s top offenses, especially as Detroit aims to make a deep postseason run.
Quarterbacks Coach: Mark Brunell
A familiar face in Detroit, Mark Brunell returns as the Lions’ quarterbacks coach. Brunell has been instrumental in the development of Jared Goff since he joined the Lions, working closely with the veteran quarterback to fine-tune his mechanics, decision-making, and leadership. The former Pro Bowl quarterback knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level and has shared his knowledge with Goff, who has blossomed into one of the more reliable quarterbacks in the league under his tutelage.
In 2025, Brunell will continue to focus on helping Goff develop further, especially when it comes to making quick reads under pressure and improving his deep-ball accuracy. With the Lions’ offense growing more diverse, Brunell’s experience and coaching will be essential for helping Goff elevate his game to championship-caliber levels.
Defensive Line Coach: Todd Wash
Todd Wash returns as the Lions’ defensive line coach, continuing his role as one of the most respected figures on the defensive staff. Under Wash’s guidance, Detroit’s defensive line has become more aggressive and productive, particularly with standout performances from Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill. The Lions’ pass rush showed improvement in 2024, but there is still work to be done in developing additional depth and pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Wash’s focus will be on refining the technique of the Lions’ defensive linemen, as well as developing more rotational depth to keep players fresh throughout the season. With the added emphasis on improving the pass rush in 2025, Wash’s coaching will be crucial to ensure Detroit can continue to create havoc in the backfield and support the secondary in coverage.
Wide Receivers Coach: Antwaan Randle El
Antwaan Randle El, the former NFL wide receiver, will continue to coach the Lions’ wide receivers, including emerging star Amon-Ra St. Brown. Randle El has played an important role in helping St. Brown reach his full potential, turning him into one of the NFL’s most reliable and explosive playmakers. In 2025, Randle El’s challenge will be to develop the Lions’ receiver corps even further, especially as the team looks to add more weapons and deepen the position group.
His coaching will focus on improving the route-running skills of Detroit’s young receivers, making sure they are able to create separation from defenders and excel in key moments. Additionally, Randle El will work on enhancing the Lions’ red-zone efficiency, ensuring that the team’s talented receiving corps can maximize their opportunities in the scoring area.
Offensive Line Coach: Hank Fraley
Hank Fraley is back as the Lions’ offensive line coach, continuing to lead one of the most physically imposing units in the NFL. Detroit’s offensive line has been a major strength of the team in recent seasons, with Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow, and others playing at a high level. In 2025, Fraley’s challenge will be to maintain the offensive line’s consistency while developing depth behind the starters.
With an increased focus on running the football and protecting Jared Goff, Fraley will continue to emphasize the importance of teamwork and fundamental techniques. His coaching will be essential for keeping Detroit’s offensive line in peak condition, allowing the team to execute on offense and protect Goff from opposing pass rushes.
Special Teams Coordinator: Dave Fipp
Dave Fipp will remain as the Lions’ special teams coordinator, continuing to oversee one of the most solid special teams units in the league. Fipp has been a consistent contributor to the Lions’ success on special teams, helping to develop a reliable kicking game and solid return units. As the Lions aim for greater postseason success, Fipp’s ability to consistently execute in the third phase of the game will be crucial, as special teams often play a deciding role in close playoff contests.