The Detroit Lions may be in the offseason, but the action hasn’t slowed down. In fact, things have only intensified since the season ended.
The team faced a significant shake-up with the expected departures of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears. With two crucial coaching positions to fill, Dan Campbell and his staff have been busy conducting interviews to find the right replacements.
Detroit Lions Confirm Key Coaching Changes
On Thursday, January 20, the Lions officially announced their new offensive and defensive coordinators.
“The Detroit Lions announced today the hiring of John Morton as offensive coordinator and the promotion of Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator,” the team shared on social media.
These moves didn’t come as a major surprise, as both Morton and Sheppard had been widely discussed as leading candidates. Now that their roles are confirmed, they’ll have the opportunity to shape the Lions’ strategy heading into the draft. Securing their positions early gives the team stability and a clear direction moving forward.
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Who Are the New Coordinators?
John Morton Takes Over the Offense
Morton, who served as the Lions’ senior offensive assistant in 2022, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. In the time since he was last with Detroit, he spent two seasons as the Denver Broncos’ passing game coordinator, where he played a key role in the development of quarterback Bo Nix.
According to the Lions, under Morton’s guidance, Nix recorded the second-most passing touchdowns (29), third-most completions (376), and eighth-most passing yards (3,775) by a rookie in NFL history during the 2024 season.
Morton’s resume includes stints with multiple teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders as a senior offensive assistant, the New York Jets as an offensive coordinator, and the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers in various offensive coaching roles.
His extensive experience in both play design and player development makes him a strong addition to the Lions’ coaching staff.
Kelvin Sheppard Moves Up to Defensive Coordinator
Sheppard’s promotion comes from within the organization. Now entering his fifth season with the Lions, he previously served as the team’s linebackers coach from 2022 to 2024, and the outside linebackers coach in 2021.
Under his leadership, linebacker Jack Campbell became the first Lions player to record at least 85 tackles and five tackles for loss in each of his first two seasons since tracking began in 1994. Additionally, linebacker Alex Anzalone posted back-to-back seasons with at least 125 tackles, a feat accomplished by only three other players in franchise history.
Before transitioning to coaching, Sheppard played in the NFL after being selected 68th overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 2011 NFL Draft out of LSU. He spent time with multiple teams, including the Bills, Colts, Dolphins, Giants, and Lions, before retiring.
A Crucial Season Ahead
The Lions are competing in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, the NFC North. Adding to the challenge, they lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to the division-rival Bears. With these changes, both Morton and Sheppard will play pivotal roles in ensuring the team remains a Super Bowl contender in the upcoming season.
