Report: Lions land former longtime college coach as passing game coordinator

ALLEN PARK -- David Shaw, the former Stanford head coach, has reportedly agreed to become the new passing game coordinator for the Detroit Lions. It’s another change to Detroit’s coaching staff, and likely signals the exit of Tanner Engstrand, who had served as the passing game coordinator for the last two years. However, Engstrand has been linked as one of the top names reported to watch for Aaron Glenn’s offensive staff in New York. Shaw’s hiring brings a ton of experience across the professional and collegiate game. The former Stanford coach has been out of coaching since 2022, most recently serving as a senior personnel executive with the Denver Broncos. That’s where Shaw crossed paths with new Lions offensive coordinator John Morton, and work with Dan Campbell’s mentor in Sean Payton, another connection. RELATED: Lions losing another offensive assistant coach to outside promotion RELATED: 5 things to know about the Detroit Lions’ new coordinators Shaw led Stanford for 12 seasons, going 96-54 with five bowl wins, including three trips to the Rose Bowl and two victories there, as well. Stanford won no less than eight games in each of his first eight seasons at the helm. He stepped down after a tough four-season run where his teams went 14-28 from 2019 to 2022. The 52-year-old played his college ball at Stanford, too, and had been part of Jim Harbaugh’s staff for three years there before taking over. Shaw also has experience coaching quarterbacks and wide receivers in the NFL, with stints with the Baltimore Ravens (2002-2005) and Raiders (1998-2001) on his resume. Shaw has interviewed for multiple NFL head coach openings in recent years, including this past cycle with the Chicago Bears. The veteran coach was also reportedly on Chicago’s radar as a potential offensive coordinator candidate. NFL Network reports Shaw and the Lions have agreed on a multi-year deal. He now joins a staff with Morton as offensive coordinator, Mark Brunell as quarterbacks coach, Hank Fraley as offensive line/run game coordinator and Scottie Montgomery as assistant head coach/running backs coach. Detroit lost assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett and receivers coach Antwaan Randle El to the Bears. And this move to hire Shaw likely signals the end of Engstrand’s time in Detroit, with more changes on the way.