The Detroit Lions officially announced Wednesday the hiring of former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Lynn, 52, was fired by the Chargers earlier this month after four seasons at the helm. He posted a 33-31 overall record with the team, which went 7-9 in 2020.
In addition, the Detroit Free Press reported Wednesday that tight ends coach Ben Johnson is expected to remain in Detroit, while ESPN reports that Chicago Bears inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone will leave to become the Lions’ linebackers coach.
The Lions’ staff has undergone significant change of late. Former New Orleans assistant head coach Dan Campbell, 44, was named as Detroit’s head coach and Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn, 48, was tabbed as the Lions’ defensive coordinator.
In addition, multiple reports had veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford being granted permission by the team to seek an offseason trade.
Lynn had his best season with the Chargers in 2018, when Los Angeles went 12-4 and defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC wild card round. But the Chargers lost the next week to New England, ending their only playoff run of Lynn’s tenure.
Lynn served as the offensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills prior to his stint with the Chargers.
The Lions were 5-11 in 2020 and last won a division championship in 1993, the NFL’s second-longest active drought between division titles behind the Cleveland Browns (1989).
(Field Level Media)
