The Detroit Lions have experienced significant changes to their coaching staff, with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson leaving for the Chicago Bears and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn taking a head coaching position with the New York Jets.
However, before Glenn made his decision, head coach Dan Campbell faced another departure.
Defensive line coach Terrell Williams is leaving the Lions after just one season to become the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots under Mike Vrabel, the team announced Wednesday. Williams and Vrabel have a history together, having worked side by side with the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023.
During his time with the Titans, Williams served as the defensive line coach and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2023. In Vrabel’s final preseason in Tennessee, he entrusted Williams with head coaching duties for the first exhibition game against the Bears.
Williams has been coaching defensive lines since 1998 and entered the NFL ranks with the Oakland Raiders in 2012. He also spent three seasons with the Miami Dolphins.
Over his career, Williams has worked with several star players, including Richard Seymour, Cameron Wake, Ndamukong Suh, and Jeffery Simmons.
