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Dan Campbell Is Hiring Former College Football Head Coach In Big Move

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Jan 30, 2025 6:20 PM ET

Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions have had to revamp their coaching staff early this offseason.

The Lions lost both coordinators to head coaching jobs, with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson taking over the Chicago Bears and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn leaving for the New York Jets. Johnson also took wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El for his staff. Additionally, defensive line coach Terrell Williams is now the new defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots and tight ends coach Steve Heiden has been hired as the Jets' offensive line coach.

With spots to fill, Campbell is now looking to a former longtime college head coach for one position. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Campbell is hiring David Shaw to a multiyear agreement to serve as passing game coordinator.

Shaw, 52, was the head coach at Stanford from 2011-22. He worked for the Denver Broncos last season and has experience working with new Lions offensive coordinator John Morton.

"David Shaw spent last season with the #Broncos as a senior personnel executive. He last was an NFL coach in 2005, when he coached receivers with the #Ravens. Now, back on the sideline," Pelissero tweeted.

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks up at the scoreboard in the third quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon. Stanford won the game in overtime 38-31. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

In 12 seasons at Stanford, Shaw compiled a 96-54 record with three Pac-12 titles and three Rose Bowl appearances.

A four-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year and the 2017 Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year, Shaw led the Cardinal to bowl games in each of his first eight seasons.

Shaw worked under Jim Harbaugh at San Diego in 2006 and at Stanford from 2007-10. From 1997-2005, he was an assistant in the NFL, first with the Philadelphia Eagles and later the Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens.

Shaw reportedly interviewed with the New Orleans Saints for their head coaching position earlier this month but now is Detroit-bound, where he'll look to help the Lions take the final step in their build.

After making the conference championship game last year, Detroit went 15-2 in 2024, earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC, but was upset by the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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