At 70 years old, Gunther Cunningham may seem like an unusual proponent of analytics, but behind closed doors the former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator has long been at the forefront of statistical-based research.
Cunningham, who spent the past three seasons as a senior coaching assistant, has left the Lions to take a job at the website Pro Football Focus, the team announced Friday.
Cunningham, who ran the Lions defense in 2009-2013, will serve as PFF's director of football oversight.
"Gunther Cunningham is such a unique coach and person," PFF owner and NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth said in a statement released by the Lions.