By Moses Joshua 
Scottie Montgomery emerges as a rising head coach candidate amid Detroit’s coaching turnover and continued NFL success
Lions’ Coaching Pipeline Continues to Draw Attention
As the Detroit Lions prepare for what many hope will be a Super Bowl-contending season, the buzz around their coaching staff refuses to quiet down. After losing high-profile names like offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn following the 2024 campaign, yet another key figure is being linked to future head coaching opportunities—Assistant Head Coach and Wide Receivers Coach Scottie Montgomery.
In a recent ESPN feature published June 16, a panel of NFL experts discussed which assistant coaches around the league are most likely to secure head coaching jobs by 2026. Lions beat reporter Eric Woodyard didn’t hesitate to name Montgomery as a prime candidate.
Montgomery’s Meteoric Rise
Montgomery, who transitioned from coaching the running backs to overseeing wide receivers this offseason, has already established himself as a major asset within Dan Campbell’s staff. His impact has been deeply felt in Detroit’s offensive evolution over the past two seasons.
“For the past two seasons, Montgomery’s leadership has played a key role in turning the Lions’ ground attack into one of the most prolific in league history,” Woodyard wrote. “With running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery becoming the first duo to each rush for at least 10 touchdowns in consecutive seasons in 2023 and 2024.”
Now, with a fresh assignment leading the receiving corps, Montgomery is positioned to prove his versatility as a coach capable of elevating different facets of an NFL offense. As Woodyard notes, “He has said his ultimate goal is to become an NFL head coach, and he has put in the work.” If he can repeat that success with Detroit’s wide receivers, it could mark the final résumé item needed to vault him into head coaching conversations league-wide.
“Another One Bites the Dust?”
It’s a familiar feeling in Detroit. The Lions have quickly gone from a rebuilding team to a coaching incubator, producing some of the most sought-after assistants in the NFL. Losing talented staff is the cost of doing business when success arrives—but for fans, it can feel like one hit after another.
Still, the potential loss of Montgomery shouldn’t be seen purely as a setback. Rather, it’s further evidence of the cultural transformation underway in Allen Park. Detroit is now a destination for coaching talent, not a revolving door.
Spotlight Still on Goff and the 2025 Lions
While the coaching carousel is already spinning in early discussions, the Lions still have unfinished business on the field. Another name mentioned by Woodyard in ESPN’s panel? Quarterback Jared Goff.
Despite a stellar 2024 regular season that saw him post career highs in touchdowns (37) and QBR (68.4), Goff’s season ended on a sour note with a divisional-round loss to the Washington Commanders, where he committed four of the team’s five turnovers.
“Can Goff help the team win a Super Bowl?” Woodyard asked. “He has yet to prove that despite all of his individual success.”
That lingering question will define Detroit’s 2025 campaign—and determine whether the Lions can turn individual accolades and coaching excellence into championship reality.
Final Thoughts
Detroit’s reputation as a breeding ground for future head coaches continues to grow. With Scottie Montgomery now entering the national conversation, it’s clear that Dan Campbell’s vision is being realized—not just in wins, but in building leaders.
For now, fans should soak in this moment: the Lions are not only relevant, but respected—and their success is shaping the future of the NFL’s coaching landscape.