The Detroit Lions have announced a series of coaching changes for their Week 16 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, due to a COVID-19 exposure amongst the staff.
The Lions announced: “Interim Head Coach Darrell Bevell, Defensive Coordinator Cory Undlin, Defensive Line Coach Bo Davis, Defensive Backs Coach Steve Gregory and Linebackers Coach Ty McKenzie will not coach in Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay.”
The Lions confirmed an earlier report that wide receivers coach Robert Prince would take over interim head coaching duties and quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan will be calling the offensive plays.
Additionally, Evan Rothstein (head coach assistant/research & analysis) will take over the defensive play-calling duties.
Bevell said at his Thursday morning press conference that Rothstein, who has been with the team since 2012, is the person most knowledgeable about the Lions defensive scheme and the most familiar with the personnel, after having worked closely with former coach Matt Patricia the last three seasons.
Assisting Rothstein on defense will be Ty Warren (WCF Minority Coaching Assistant), David Corrao (Director of football research), and Tony Carter (defensive assistant).
Warren (a former NFL defensive lineman) will work with the defensive line, Corrao (a former NFL assistant linebackers coach and defensive coordinator at Northern Michigan) will coach the linebackers, and Carter (a former NFL cornerback) will coach the secondary.