By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s continued success brings fresh challenges as unexpected college openings create new uncertainty for Dan Campbell’s staff
Success in the NFL rarely comes without consequences, and for Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, one of those consequences is becoming increasingly familiar. As the Lions continue to establish themselves as a respected contender, their coaching staff has become a magnet for outside interest — particularly from the college ranks.
That trend may not be finished yet.
Staff Turnover Becomes the Cost of Winning
Campbell has already navigated significant turnover in recent seasons, but the aftermath of the 2024 campaign set a new standard. Coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn both departed for head coaching opportunities, each taking multiple assistants with them. Losing two coordinators in the same hiring cycle is uncommon, even for successful franchises, and it forced Detroit to reshuffle its staff in a major way.
Now, before the current season has even concluded, another change is already locked in. Tight ends coach Tyler Roehl will finish the year with the Lions before returning to Iowa State, where he will serve as offensive coordinator under new head coach Jimmy Rogers.
And Roehl may not be the last.
Michigan’s Sudden Opening Changes the Equation
The college coaching carousel spun back to life this week when the University of Michigan fired head coach Sherrone Moore. The timing complicates matters for the Wolverines, as most major college jobs have already been filled, leaving a thinner pool of available candidates.
While the logistics make it difficult for Michigan to lure an NFL coach mid-cycle, the appeal of the job itself could still draw interest. Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, a former Wolverine, is widely viewed as a leading candidate. Still, Michigan may be forced to expand its search beyond its preferred targets — including into NFL coaching staffs.
That’s where Detroit enters the conversation.
Scottie Montgomery Emerges as a Name to Watch
Among potential Lions departures, wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery stands out. He is already viewed internally as a strong candidate to become Detroit’s next offensive coordinator, especially with John Morton’s departure widely seen as inevitable.
Montgomery’s résumé is extensive. Dating back to 2006, he has coached nearly every offensive position at both the college and NFL levels, with tight ends and offensive line being the only exceptions. He also brings head coaching experience, having led East Carolina from 2016 to 2018.
That stint ended with a 9–26 record, but it hasn’t erased his standing within coaching circles. Montgomery was previously mentioned as a potential candidate at Duke, his alma mater, when that job opened two years ago.
If Duke were to open again — a possibility if current head coach Manny Diaz, who has been linked to the Michigan vacancy, were to leave — Montgomery would immediately resurface as a logical candidate.
A Carousel That Could Spin in Detroit’s Direction
If betting odds exist for Michigan’s next head coach, Montgomery would likely be a long shot, if he appears at all. Still, coaching movement rarely follows a straight line. One hire can trigger another, and residually, opportunities can emerge where few expected them.
The unexpected reopening of a high-profile college job has reignited the carousel, and with it, the possibility that Detroit could lose yet another valued assistant. Whether Montgomery chooses to entertain such an opportunity remains to be seen, but the mere presence of options underscores a growing reality for Campbell.
Winning attracts attention — and attention, in coaching, often leads elsewhere.