The Detroit Lions have built a strong culture under head coach Dan Campbell, and it’s been paying off. With coordinators like Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson landing head coaching gigs this offseason, the league has taken notice of what’s happening in Detroit. But not every coach who passed through the Motor City found immediate success.
One of those names is Mark DeLeone, a former Lions inside linebackers coach who was let go after just one season in 2021. After bouncing around a bit since then — including stints with the Bears, Ravens, and even some college work — DeLeone is officially back in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs have hired him as their new assistant running backs coach.
The move comes following the retirement of long-time Chiefs assistant Andy Hill. That change triggered a coaching shuffle that opened the door for DeLeone’s return to Kansas City — a place he’s familiar with. He previously served in several defensive roles with the Chiefs between 2013 and 2018.
With Kansas City always in the mix for a Super Bowl, this could be a golden opportunity for DeLeone to reset his NFL career — and maybe even compete against his old team along the way.
Meanwhile, the Lions are undergoing changes of their own. Kelvin Sheppard, who replaced DeLeone back in 2022, has now been promoted to defensive coordinator. He’ll be tasked with turning a battered defense (13 players landed on IR last season) into a unit capable of leading Detroit toward its first Lombardi Trophy.
