The Detroit Lions have become one of the top franchises in the NFL, and a lot of it has to do with their work on the sidelines. Dan Campbell was hired as head coach in 2021, and he’s built a culture that many have tried to replicate.
With Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson taking head coaching jobs with the New York Jets and the Chicago Bears this offseason, it’s clear that the NFL wants a piece of what Campbell is cooking. But while there have been plenty of success stories, there are also coaches who just didn’t pan out.
One former member of Campbell’s staff was fired in 2021 but made his way back to the NFL last season. After being out of work again, he’s finally landed a new job for the upcoming season in a team that could compete with the Lions for an elusive Lombardi Trophy.
Former Lions Assistant Mark DeLeone Lands Job with Chiefs
Former Lions assistant coach Mark DeLeone was named the assistant running backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday, following a string of moves caused by assistant special teams coach Andy Hill’s retirement. DeLeone previously served as an inside linebackers coach for the Lions in 2021 but was fired after his lone season in Detroit.
With Andy Hill’s retirement, Porter Ellett has moved to assistant special teams coach for Dave Toub. Mark DeLeone, former linebackers coach for the Chiefs, returns to KC and takes over Ellett’s old role as assistant RB coach.
DeLeone has bounced around the league since originally breaking in with the New York Jets as a defensive assistant in 2012. He was first hired by the Chiefs as a defensive quality control coach in 2013 and was promoted to assistant linebackers coach in 2016 and inside linebackers coach in 2018. He also spent two years as the Chicago Bears' inside linebackers coach in 2019 and 2020 before coming to Detroit and has since served as a defensive analyst for the Kansas Jayhawks and was the inside linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens last season.
The Lions have their own issues to solve with their coaching staff, but are hoping some new faces can fill the role. Kelvin Sheppard, who was DeLeone’s replacement as linebackers coach in 2022, is now replacing Glenn as defensive coordinator and will look to take a Detroit defense that was shorthanded with 13 players on injured reserve last season to a championship level this fall.
