Sports

Actions

Detroit Lions Announce Changes to Offensive Coaching Staff

Posted at 3:18 PM, Jan 14, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-14 15:18:52-05

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Jim Schwartz will be back along with his two coordinators, but the rest of the Detroit Lions offensive coaching staff will be very different in 2013.

Today the Lions announced the hiring of Curtis Modkins (running backs), Bobby Johnson (tight ends), Tim Lappano (wide receivers), and Jeremiah Washburn (offensive line).

Modkins will oversee the Lions running backs and will serve as the run game coordinator. He has spent five seasons in the NFL and was the offensive coordinator and running backs coach of the Buffalo Bills last year.

Johnson is entering his fourth season as an NFL assistant.  He will coach the tight ends, the same position he held with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.

Lappano and Washburn have been working for the Lions but now have new roles. Lappano will take over the wide receivers after coaching the Lions tight ends the past four seasons. Washburn has been promoted to the offensive line coach after serving the last four seasons as the assistant offensive line coach.