By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions underwent significant coaching changes this offseason, mainly due to the departures of Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, who took some staff members with them as they stepped into head coaching roles. On the offensive side, Detroit brought in John Morton as their new offensive coordinator, followed by an eye-catching addition—former Stanford head coach David Shaw, who will serve as the team’s passing game coordinator.
Before his successful tenure at Stanford, Shaw built a solid foundation in the NFL, working as an assistant coach from 1997 to 2005. During his peak years at Stanford, speculation about him transitioning to an NFL head coaching position frequently surfaced.
Shaw and Morton share a coaching history, having worked together under Jon Gruden with the Oakland Raiders from 1998 to 2001. More recently, they reunited in Denver last year, where Shaw served as a senior personnel executive assistant while Morton was the passing game coordinator under head coach Sean Payton.
Shaw also has ties to Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. His brother, Osiris St. Brown, played for Shaw at Stanford, adding another personal connection to the mix.
Dan Campbell’s Take on Hiring David Shaw
Before addressing the media on Tuesday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell sat down for an interview with Dan Miller of FOX2 at the NFL Owners’ Meetings in Florida. When the conversation turned to the coaching staff changes, Miller referenced a prior discussion with Morton, who had highlighted Shaw’s addition to the team.
“Listen, that was a big one too, for us. Was fortunate to be able to get coach Shaw,” Campbell said. “Look, he and Johnny go way back now, way back. They both really cut their teeth under Jon Gruden years ago. I don’t know if everybody quite knows, coach Shaw’s got a wealth of experience. You think of Stanford first, because that’s where he spent a ton of time, successful coach. He’s going to bring things to Johnny, like his blind spots. He’s going to cover his blind spots. That’s what he’s going to be looking for.”
Campbell emphasized Shaw’s extensive NFL experience, having coached quarterbacks and wide receivers at the professional level and called plays in college. His diverse background makes him a valuable asset for Detroit’s coaching staff.
Campbell’s remark about Morton having “blind spots” shouldn’t be taken as a criticism. In fact, Campbell himself acknowledged that every coach, including himself, has areas where they need support. Shaw’s role is to provide that complementary insight, ensuring a well-rounded offensive approach. His ability to identify and address gaps in strategy makes him an exciting addition to the Lions’ staff, further strengthening the team’s offensive game plan.