Detroit Lions reportedly hiring new passing game coordinator, cornerbacks coach

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions are adding another new piece to their defensive leadership, hiring Deshea Townsend as their cornerbacks coach and passing game coordinator according to multiple reports. Detroit is also hiring Terrell Williams as the new defensive line coach and run game coordinator.

It remains unclear what the additions mean for Dre Bly (cornerbacks coach) and John Scott (defensive line coach), both of whom were hired last offseason.

The Lions made strides defending the run this past season, ranking second in the league, but continued to struggle against the pass. They ranked 27th in passing yards allowed, and opposing quarterbacks racked up a passer rating of 93.1 against them for the season, which was 23rd.

Rookie slot cornerback Brian Branch enjoyed an outstanding debut season, but Detroit didn’t have an outside cornerback ranked among the top 90 players in the league according to Pro Football Focus. Cam Sutton struggled deeply after signing a big free-agent deal last offseason, while fellow newcomer Emmanuel Moseley played only two snaps before suffering another ACL injury.

Jerry Jacobs started in Moseley’s place to open the season, then was eventually benched in favor of Kindle Vildor, a midseason addition whose most notable play came when a ball bounced off his face and into the hands of Brandon Aiyuk for a 51-yard catch in the NFC Championship game.

Detroit is expected to invest more resources in the outside cornerback position, and now there’s new leadership in place for that unit.

Townsend, 48, is a former Steelers cornerback who has made five NFL stops in his coaching career, most recently serving as the Jaguars’ passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach the last two years.

Detroit is expected to invest more resources in the outside cornerback position, and now there’s new leadership in place for that unit.

Townsend, 48, is a former Steelers cornerback who has made five NFL stops in his coaching career, most recently serving as the Jaguars’ passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach the last two years.