Scottie Montgomery, who joined the Detroit Lions in 2023 as their assistant head coach and running backs coach, is now taking on a new role coaching the team’s wide receivers. The move comes after Antwaan Randle El, the Lions’ previous wide receivers coach, left to become the offensive coordinator at Delaware.
Montgomery’s transition isn’t as unusual as it might seem. He’s spent a significant part of his coaching career working with receivers, including stints coaching wideouts for the Steelers and Duke. Before joining the Lions, Montgomery served as the Colts’ running backs coach, where he helped develop Jonathan Taylor into one of the NFL’s top rushers.
When the Lions’ receivers coach position opened, head coach Dan Campbell decided Montgomery’s experience and versatility made him the best fit to lead Detroit’s talented receiver group. Campbell praised Montgomery’s communication skills and knowledge of offensive schemes, saying they’d be invaluable for helping receivers understand the full scope of the offense.
For Montgomery, the move gives him a chance to work closely with one of the Lions’ strongest units, headlined by All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown and promising young players like Jameson Williams. He’s expected to build on the progress the receiving corps made in 2024, when they became one of the NFL’s most dynamic passing attacks.
In short, Montgomery’s switch is all about maximizing the Lions’ offensive potential by placing an experienced, adaptable coach in a key spot—one that could help push Detroit even closer to a Super Bowl run.
Why Lions’ Scottie Montgomery Made the Switch from Coaching Running Backs to Wide Receivers
