The Detroit Lions coaching staff is in high demand. Not only do offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (4) and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (6) have multiple head coaching interviews this week, but offensive line coach Hank Fraley is interviewing with the Seahawks for their vacant offensive coordinator position, and now, the San Francisco 49ers announced they have completed an interview Lions defensive backs coach DeShea Townsend for their vacant defensive coordinator position.
Townsend joined the Lions this past offseason and Detroit immediately saw dividends in their play in the secondary. A former NFL cornerback for the Steelers and Colts, Townsend got into coaching in 2011 and has coached under a variety of defensive coordinators, including Glenn, Mike Caldwell (Jaguars, 2022-23), Sean Desai (Bears, 2021), Chuck Pagano (Bears, 2019-20), James Bettcher (Giants, 2018), Dick Labeau (Titans, 2016-17), and Ray Horton (Cardinals 2011-12).