Dec 19, 2011; San Francisco, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Larry Foote (50) warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. San Francisco defeated Pittsburgh 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE
The Detroit Lions finished the 2024 season with the best record in the NFC at 15-2, but their playoff run ended in disappointment after a divisional round loss to the Washington Commanders. Now, the Lions face an uncertain future as they look to replace their offensive and defensive coordinators.
Under the leadership of Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, the Lions boasted one of the league’s top coaching staffs. However, the team’s success has led to both coordinators leaving for head coaching opportunities elsewhere.
Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell has turned his focus to filling the vacancies left by Johnson and Glenn. Replacing both coordinators is a significant challenge, but Campbell is ready for the task. He has reportedly reached out to Larry Foote to explore the possibility of making him the team’s next defensive coordinator, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz on X.
Foote recently completed his third season as the inside linebackers coach and pass game coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He initially joined the Bucs in 2019 as the outside linebackers coach.
However, Foote is most widely known for his time as a linebacker with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played 11 seasons in Pittsburgh, winning two Super Bowl titles with the team. Foote also secured a third Super Bowl ring in 2020 as a coach with the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers.
The Lions Could Turn to Larry Foote as Their Next Defensive Coordinator
The Lions have emerged as one of the league’s top teams under Campbell’s leadership, capturing back-to-back division titles and making it to the NFC Championship Game last season. However, with Johnson leaving for the Chicago Bears and Glenn taking a head coaching position with the New York Jets, Campbell faces a significant challenge in filling their shoes.
Detroit’s troubles may not end with the loss of its coordinators. The team could lose more coaches as former staff members follow Johnson and Glenn to their new roles. Glenn might bring Lions’ quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell with him to New York, and linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard could also make the move.
These departures would limit Detroit’s options for promoting internal candidates, complicating the coaching staff’s future. Johnson, who is reportedly the seventh-highest paid head coach in the league after his move to the Bears, might also look to recruit coaches from the Lions’ roster. Additionally, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel could target Detroit’s defensive line coach, Terrell Williams.
With several coaches potentially leaving, Campbell is now looking outside the organization for replacements. Foote brings a decade of coaching experience, having started as an assistant linebackers coach with the Arizona Cardinals in 2015. While his career is most closely associated with the Steelers, Foote does have a connection to Detroit, having played for the Lions in 2009 before returning to Pittsburgh the following season.
