The Detroit Lions are adding another coach to their staff, and yes, it’s another former player.
Deshea Townsend is being hired by the Detroit Lions to be their next passing game coordinator, according to a report from Jordan Schultz. Townsend has been a coach since 2011 and played cornerback in the NFL for 12 years. He most recently spent the last two years as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ cornerbacks coach and coordinator of the passing game.
Tanner Engstrand, the Lions’ current pass game coordinator, is obviously in jeopardy after this hire. This summer, the rapidly ascending coach has been connected to multiple coordinator positions; he reportedly interviewed with the Patriots and Buccaneers before both teams decided to seek elsewhere. But he’s also been connected to the empty position with the Seattle Seahawks.
UPDATE: According to Schultz, Engstrand’s future with the squad is unaffected by this hiring because he will concentrate on playing defense. Nonetheless, it’s important to remember that the Lions did not have a pass game coordinator on either side of the ball the previous season.
