By Sunday 
Detroit Reshuffles Coaching Staff to Strengthen Offensive Powerhouse
The Detroit Lions are making key adjustments to their coaching staff, bringing in Tashard Choice as the new running backs coach. The move reunites him with star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, a player Choice recruited and coached at Georgia Tech.
This change is part of a broader staff reshuffling, with assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery transitioning to wide receivers coach following Antwaan Randle El’s departure to the Chicago Bears. The Lions’ latest moves signal a continued focus on offensive excellence as they prepare for another strong season.
Tashard Choice Reunites with Jahmyr Gibbs
For Gibbs, this isn’t just a coaching change—it’s a reunion. Choice played a pivotal role in his journey to college football, spotting his talent early and bringing him to Georgia Tech.
Brent Key, Georgia Tech’s head coach, recalled how Choice recognized Gibbs’ potential before the rest of the football world caught on.
“Tashard had a great eye for him and just really fell in love with his style,” Key told MLive last month. “No one really was recruiting him at that point. Tashard did a hell of a job recruiting him …”
Now, Choice has the opportunity to work with Gibbs once again—only this time, his protégé is fresh off a breakout rookie season with over 1,400 rushing yards and a league-leading 20 touchdowns.
Montgomery Takes Over as WRs Coach
While Choice takes over the running backs room, Scottie Montgomery is shifting to coaching wide receivers. Despite spending the last season overseeing Detroit’s running backs, Montgomery’s background as a receivers coach makes him a natural fit for the role.
He has experience coaching receivers at both the college and NFL levels, including a stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also played wide receiver in the NFL, making this a return to familiar territory. With new offensive coordinator John Morton emphasizing the passing game, Montgomery’s move strengthens an already dynamic coaching unit.
Detroit’s Ground Game Remains a Top Priority
Despite the coaching shifts, the Lions remain committed to their dominant rushing attack. With one of the league’s best offensive lines and a lethal running back duo in Gibbs and David Montgomery—nicknamed “Sonic and Knuckles”—Detroit has no plans of slowing down.
The Lions ranked ninth in yards per carry (4.7), sixth in total rushing yards (2,488), and second in rushing touchdowns (29) last season. Montgomery is confident that he and Gibbs will continue making history.
“Definitely the best running back duo in the league,” Montgomery said. “Me and Jahmyr—that’s my dog. … When me and him are done playing together, we’ll be the best running back duo to ever play together.”
With Choice now leading the backfield and Montgomery shifting to a role that better suits his expertise, the Lions are setting themselves up for another explosive offensive season.