Report: Lions Hire New Defensive Line Coach, Run Game Coordinator

Dan Campbell makes first hire of offseason.

The Detroit Lions have added a new member to their coaching staff.

Detroit is reportedly hiring Terrell Williams to serve as the team's run game coordinator and defensive line coach, according to a report from The Athletic. 

It is unclear what this means for John Scott Jr., who was the Lions' defensive line coach this past season. 

Williams was most recently the defensive line coach and assistant head coach with the Tennessee Titans. He has been serving as the head coach of the American Team at this week's Senior Bowl. 

Williams had been with the Titans for the last six seasons. He was also promoted to Assistant Head Coach prior to this season. 

Former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel had high praise for Williams when announcing the promotion.

“You know how I feel about Terrell and what he’s meant to our program since I’ve been here,” Vrabel said at the 2023 Scouting Combine. “The consistency, on and off the football field, the relationship and connection that he’s built with every defensive lineman. 

"So, yeah, I was able to -- and rightfully so -- name him assistant head coach for defense, because that’s what he is. I watch the players, whether it’s an offensive player, defensive player outside of his position, they have a tendency to find “Big T” or he has a tendency to find them. He’s a valuable member to our staff and we’re lucky to have him.”

Detroit Lions 2024 NFL Offseason Primer

Vrabel made Williams the Titans' acting head coach for their 2023 preseason opener against the Chicago Bears. Under his tutelage, the Titans have developed a star in defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons.

Before going to Tennessee, he spent three seasons with the Miami Dolphins coaching the defensive line. His first season with Miami, 2015, overlapped with Lions head coach Dan Campbell's last. Campbell was with the organization from 2011-15 as the team's tight ends coach. 

The year both were in Miami, Campbell had a 12-game stint as interim head coach after Joe Philbin was fired. He began his time in the NFL when he joined the Raiders' staff in 2012.

Prior to breaking into the NFL, he spent 14 seasons at the college ranks. He began his coaching career at Fort Scott Community College, and made stops at North Carolina A&T, Youngstown State, Akron, Purdue and Texas A&M. 

He coached several future NFL players while at the collegiate ranks, including Ryan Kerrigan and Cliff Avril at Purdue and Von Miller at Texas A&M.