The Lions are shifting some things around with their coaching staff.
The Detroit Lions are filling out their refurbished coaching staff. As first reported by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, and confirmed by others, they are set to hire University of Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice as their new running backs coach.
In a related move, according to Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network and others, assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery will replace Antwaan Randle El as the Lions' wide receivers coach. Montgomery was a wide receiver as a player, and he has coached the position before (2010-2012 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013 at Duke) as part of his lengthy resume.
Lions hire Tashard Choice as new running backs coach
Choice was a fourth-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys put of Geiorgia Tech in 2008, and he spent six seasons as a running back in the league with the Cowboys, Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts.
Choice started his coaching career with the Cowboys in 2016, before going to North Texas for two years (as a grad assistant, then running backs coach), followed by three years as the running backs coach at Georgia Tech (2019-2021) before spending the last three years at Texas.
At Texas, Choice's pupils included Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks and Falcons running back Bijan Robinson.
At Georgia Tech, Choice notably overlapped with Lions' running back Jahmyr Gibbs for two years (2020 and 2021) before Gibbs transferred to Alabama for his final college season and Choice went to Texas.
After the Lions' drafted Gibbs No. 12 overall in 2023, Montgomery noted Choice's influence on that decision.
"I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect not only for both programs (Gibbs) was at, but mainly the running backs coaches that had him, Tashard Choice and (Alabama RB coach Robert) Gillespie,” Montgomery said, via Pride of Detroit. “Tremendous amount of respect for the way they coach. I know both of those guys.”
Choice should fit in nicely on the Lions' staff. He is close with defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
In addition to the hiring of Choice, according to Rogers, new assistant coach Tyler Roehl will replace Steve Heiden as the Lions' tight ends coach.
