The next branch of Dan Campbell's coaching tree is probably not long for Detroit

It was a matter of time before it happened, with both getting multiple interviews in recent years, but the Detroit Lions lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to head coaching jobs after last season.

Johnson and Glenn also both took multiple members of Dan Campbell's coaching staff with them to the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, respectively (and as expected). So Campbell had to reload and reshape his coaching staff for 2025, which is one of the prices of success and it's probably going to become a regular thing. But one of the many things Campbell has nailed in his time as Lions head coach is identifying capable assistants.

The next branch of Dan Campbell's coaching tree is likely not long for Detroit

When we think of Lions' assistant coaches who look like future head coach material, a couple names easily come to mind. In one case, a couple of his pupils were willing to do whatever it took to prevent him from leaving when he interviewed for a job elsewhere after last season.

Heading into the 2025 season, Jacob Infante of Pro Football Network has named one top future head coaching candidate from each NFL team.

For the Lions, Infante chose offensive line coach/run game coordinator Hank Fraley.

"The Detroit Lions lost much of their coaching staff with both Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn leaving their coordinator roles for head coaching gigs elsewhere. Despite that, they retained a key assistant this offseason in Hank Fraley."

"In addition to their offensive line coach, Fraley will now be Detroit’s run game coordinator starting in 2025. Under his tutelage, the Lions have consistently had one of the best offensive lines in the league, and he’s helped send Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow, Taylor Decker, and Jonah Jackson to Pro Bowls for the first time in their careers."

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Fraley got his first opportunity to interview for an offensive coordinator job after last season, and he got to a second interview with the Seattle Seahawks. It was easy to think he would follow Johnson to wherever he became a head coach, but Fraley stayed in Detroit with an additional formal title instead.

Fraley's exemplary work with the Lions' offensive line will be tested in a way it never quite has been this year. The retirement of center Frank Ragnow created an irreplaceable hole, and all three interior starters are projected to be different, or in different spots.

If the Lions' offensive line and ground game doesn't miss a beat in 2025, Fraley will have opportunities elsewhere to climb the coaching ladder as an offensive coordinator if he wants to entertain them. The logical next step then will be to become a head coach, if he wants it.

Campbell's coaching tree is really just beginning to sprout candidates other teams covet, and Fraley is one of the next in line to inevitably leave.

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