Allen Park, Mich.– The Detroit Lions revealed today the following additions to the training personnel. Agreement terms were not divulged.
Jim O’Neil – Defensive Assistant
Most just recently acting as the protective planner at Northwestern (2021-22), O’Neil signs up with the Lions for his 12th season as an NFL coach after formerly working for the Las Vegas Raiders (2019-20– protective backs; 2018– senior protective assistant), San Francisco 49ers (2016– protective planner), Cleveland Browns (2014-15– protective organizer), Buffalo Bills (2013– linebackers) and New York Jets (2010-12– assistant protective backs; 2009– protective quality control/defensive backs).
Prior to getting in the NFL training ranks, O’Neil invested 8 seasons training in the NCAA, operating at Eastern Michigan (2006-08– safeties/recruiting planner), Towson (2005– protective coordinator/defensive backs), Northwestern (2003-04– graduate assistant), Pennsylvania (2002– assistant offending line) and SUNY Albany (2001– assistant offending line/tight ends).
Deshea Townsend – Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs
Townsend enters his 10th season as an NFL coach after most just recently investing 2 seasons (2022-23) as the death video game coordinator/cornerbacks coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He likewise functioned as the secondary coach for the Chicago Bears from 2019-21, assistant protective backs coach for the New York Giants in 2018, protective backs coach for the Tennessee Titans from 2016-17 and assistant protective backs coach for the Arizona Cardinals from 2011-12. He likewise operated in the college ranks as the cornerbacks coach at Mississippi State from 2013-15.
Prior to starting his training profession, Townsend divided 13 seasons as a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1998-2009) and Indianapolis Colts (2010 ). Appearing in 191-career video games (80 starts), he amounted to 428 takes on, 116 pass defenses, 21 interceptions, 15.5 sacks, 5 required fumbles, 4 fumble healings and 3 interceptions returned for goals. He assisted the Steelers record success in Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII.
Terrell Williams – Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line
Williams signs up with the Lions for his 27th season in training and his 13th year in the NFL after most just recently investing the last 6 seasons with the Tennessee Titans (2023– assistant head coach/defensive line; 2018-22– protective line). Under his tutelage, the Titans led the NFL in hurrying backyards permitted per video game (76.9) in 2022 and permitted the most affordable hurrying average (4.00) and fourth-fewest hurrying lawns (10,044) in the NFL throughout that period. He likewise assisted DL Jeffery Simmons make 2 Second-Team AP All-Pro choices and make 2 journeys to the Pro Bowl. Prior to signing up with the Titans, Williams functioned as the protective line coach for the Miami Dolphins (2015-17) and Oakland Raiders (2012-14).
Before signing up with the NFL training ranks, Williams worked as the protective line coach at Texas A&M (2010-11), Purdue (2006-09), Akron (2004-05), Youngstown State (2002-03), North Carolina A&T (1999-2001) and Fort Scott Community College (1998 ). He functioned as Lions Executive Vice President and General Manager Brad Holmes’ position coach at North Carolina A&T for his 3 seasons at the school.
