Lions GM Brad Holmes reveals Dan Campbell's approach to rebuild coaching staff after Ben Johnson & Aaron Glenn got poached
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell had to deal with some setbacks concerning his coaching staff this offseason. The Lions saw the New York Jets hire their former defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, as head coach, while Ben Johnson left his duties as Detroit’s offensive coordinator to take the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears.
On Thursday, Lions general manager Brad Holmes appeared on the “Green Light with Chris Long” podcast and discussed how Campbell rebuilt his coaching staff after Johnson and Glenn left the franchise.
“First of all, I give Dan so much credit just for it," Holmes said (6:40). "You kind of had an idea that Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn were going to be gone, but I don't think we're prepared for all of the guys that got poached.
"And I give Dan so much credit for just staying patient and not just trying to chase and fill and feeling under the gun and under pressure. He stayed patient, and he was so much on about ‘fit, fit, fit,’ and he ended up doing a really nice job, and we got some really good coaches.”
Along with Glenn and Johnson, six other assistant coaches left the Lions this offseason.
The Lions hired John Morton as their new offensive coordinator and promoted linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator.
Dan Campbell has led Detroit Lions to back-to-back AFC North titles
The Detroit Lions hired Dan Campbell in January 2021. He has compiled a 38-29-1 regular-season record across four years, including a 2-2 playoff record.
Campbell has led the Lions to the NFC North title in each of the past two seasons. He led the Lions to the NFC championship game in 2023, where they lost to the San Francisco 49ers.
In the 2024 season, Detroit made it to the NFC divisional round, where they lost to Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders.