If Lions end up losing Ben Johnson, two in-house candidates stand out as viable replacements
Justin Rogers
The Detroit News
Allen Park — It's a topic a lot of Detroit Lions fans aren't prepared to discuss, but if the team continues on its current trajectory, there's a strong chance they'll lose one or both of their coordinators during the league's next hiring cycle.
After offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive counterpart Aaron Glenn interviewed for multiple openings last year, coach Dan Campbell has been bracing for a pending departure for some time.
"I haven’t gone there yet with that in this moment," Campbell said earlier this month. "I mean, I’ve thought about that before. I thought I was going to lose AG (Glenn) twice and Ben last year once, but that was certainly at the end of the year."
Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson.jpg
Obviously, Campbell presently has bigger things commanding his attention — most notably, the team's upcoming matchup with the Baltimore Ravens — as the Lions continue their pursuit of their first division title in three decades. But, it should go without saying that a contingency plan must exist so the franchise can maintain success if Glenn or Johnson receives that opportunity.
And while outside candidates would and should be considered for those potential vacancies, two internal options are standing out as workable replacements for Johnson: assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery and passing-game coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
Both present strong resumes, holding equal or greater coaching positions at different levels prior to joining Detroit's staff.
Montgomery has been an offensive coordinator twice at the collegiate level, sandwiched in between a three-year stint as the head coach at Eastern Carolina. He's also worked with three different position groups as an assistant, including running backs and wide receivers in the NFL. Plus, he's made it known in the past he has aspirations to be coordinator for an NFL offense.
Much like Campbell, nothing but the immediate future is on Montgomery's mind right now.
"As far as the whole process, we're in Week 6," he said last week. "I slept three hours last night. You think I have time to think about anything other than trying to get these guys lined up? No. Do I have aspirations? Of course. I'm not going to run from that. This is the real world. But right now, during the season, if you're thinking about that, the team you're about to play against is going to expose you, and you won't have to think about it."
What stands out about Montgomery has been his relentless attention to detail and authoritative presence when put in front of the room. He carries himself like a leader and has experience setting a standard and holding players accountable when they fall short of expectations.
"He’s seen some things and he’s a good sounding board for me," Campbell said earlier this offseason. "...He’s excellent, the way he pushes those guys. He pushes those running backs, demands a lot out of them, he’s accountable and he’s high-energy and he’s smart."
As for Engstrand, he's been something of Johnson's right-hand man since joining the Lions in the middle of the 2020 season, first working together to coach the team's tight ends before being shifted, full-time, to the passing-game coordinator role this season.
"He’s bringing a lot more ideas to the pass game in general," Campbell said. "And I think really from the game-plan aspect is where you really see (his development), as well as, man, the details of the routes with the receivers, the tight ends, the backs, because he kind of works in those rooms too. ... He’s an asset for us."
A former college quarterback like Johnson, Engstrand does have coordinating experience, running the offense for the D.C. Defenders of the XFL in 2020. Plus, having four years to work with people like Johnson, Montgomery and former senior assistant John Morton has only refined his resume and depth of knowledge if provided a chance to revisit the role in the NFL.
Both Montgomery and Engstrand have embraced the collaborative approach employed by the Lions and Johnson, while Engstrand's offensive philosophies closely mirror the current OC, particularly the emphasis on making different things look the same and the same things look different that is the heart of Detroit's offensive scheme.
Last offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles made the Super Bowl, then saw both of their coordinators land head-coaching jobs. Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen wound up with Indianapolis, while the defensive coordinator got the gig in Arizona. If the Lions win their division and have some postseason success, it would be foolish to suggest they couldn't face the same prospect.
"All I can tell you is they’re both (Glenn and Johnson) very vital to us and our success and everything that, to me, we’ve built," Campbell said. "... Everybody’s got a piece, everybody’s got a job to do, and you want them to be the very best at what they’re asked to do, and I feel like we have that. So, when you don’t have that, you’ve got to find the right guy that you put in those places when the time comes."
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter/X: @Justin_Rogers
Justin Rogers
The Detroit News
Allen Park — It's a topic a lot of Detroit Lions fans aren't prepared to discuss, but if the team continues on its current trajectory, there's a strong chance they'll lose one or both of their coordinators during the league's next hiring cycle.
After offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive counterpart Aaron Glenn interviewed for multiple openings last year, coach Dan Campbell has been bracing for a pending departure for some time.
"I haven’t gone there yet with that in this moment," Campbell said earlier this month. "I mean, I’ve thought about that before. I thought I was going to lose AG (Glenn) twice and Ben last year once, but that was certainly at the end of the year."
Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson.jpg
Obviously, Campbell presently has bigger things commanding his attention — most notably, the team's upcoming matchup with the Baltimore Ravens — as the Lions continue their pursuit of their first division title in three decades. But, it should go without saying that a contingency plan must exist so the franchise can maintain success if Glenn or Johnson receives that opportunity.
And while outside candidates would and should be considered for those potential vacancies, two internal options are standing out as workable replacements for Johnson: assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery and passing-game coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
Both present strong resumes, holding equal or greater coaching positions at different levels prior to joining Detroit's staff.
Montgomery has been an offensive coordinator twice at the collegiate level, sandwiched in between a three-year stint as the head coach at Eastern Carolina. He's also worked with three different position groups as an assistant, including running backs and wide receivers in the NFL. Plus, he's made it known in the past he has aspirations to be coordinator for an NFL offense.
Much like Campbell, nothing but the immediate future is on Montgomery's mind right now.
"As far as the whole process, we're in Week 6," he said last week. "I slept three hours last night. You think I have time to think about anything other than trying to get these guys lined up? No. Do I have aspirations? Of course. I'm not going to run from that. This is the real world. But right now, during the season, if you're thinking about that, the team you're about to play against is going to expose you, and you won't have to think about it."
What stands out about Montgomery has been his relentless attention to detail and authoritative presence when put in front of the room. He carries himself like a leader and has experience setting a standard and holding players accountable when they fall short of expectations.
"He’s seen some things and he’s a good sounding board for me," Campbell said earlier this offseason. "...He’s excellent, the way he pushes those guys. He pushes those running backs, demands a lot out of them, he’s accountable and he’s high-energy and he’s smart."
As for Engstrand, he's been something of Johnson's right-hand man since joining the Lions in the middle of the 2020 season, first working together to coach the team's tight ends before being shifted, full-time, to the passing-game coordinator role this season.
"He’s bringing a lot more ideas to the pass game in general," Campbell said. "And I think really from the game-plan aspect is where you really see (his development), as well as, man, the details of the routes with the receivers, the tight ends, the backs, because he kind of works in those rooms too. ... He’s an asset for us."
A former college quarterback like Johnson, Engstrand does have coordinating experience, running the offense for the D.C. Defenders of the XFL in 2020. Plus, having four years to work with people like Johnson, Montgomery and former senior assistant John Morton has only refined his resume and depth of knowledge if provided a chance to revisit the role in the NFL.
Both Montgomery and Engstrand have embraced the collaborative approach employed by the Lions and Johnson, while Engstrand's offensive philosophies closely mirror the current OC, particularly the emphasis on making different things look the same and the same things look different that is the heart of Detroit's offensive scheme.
Last offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles made the Super Bowl, then saw both of their coordinators land head-coaching jobs. Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen wound up with Indianapolis, while the defensive coordinator got the gig in Arizona. If the Lions win their division and have some postseason success, it would be foolish to suggest they couldn't face the same prospect.
"All I can tell you is they’re both (Glenn and Johnson) very vital to us and our success and everything that, to me, we’ve built," Campbell said. "... Everybody’s got a piece, everybody’s got a job to do, and you want them to be the very best at what they’re asked to do, and I feel like we have that. So, when you don’t have that, you’ve got to find the right guy that you put in those places when the time comes."
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter/X: @Justin_Rogers
Comment