The Detroit Lions were already in danger of losing defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson in 2025, but now we can add yet another coach to the list of those who could leave Detroit this offseason.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley is scheduled to interview for the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator vacancy on Friday. The Seahawks are in search of a new offensive coordinator after firing Ryan Grubb following his first season on the job.
Fraley has been with the Lions since 2018, when he was hired as an assistant offensive line coach. He was then promoted to offensive line coach in 2020, a position he has held since.
In his time in that role, the Lions have sported an elite offensive line. Fraley is also responsible for the development of right tackle Penei Sewell, who has become an elite offensive lineman since being drafted at No. 7 overall in 2021.
After an 11-year playing career, Fraley got his start in coaching as the offensive line coach at San Diego State. He then held the same position at San Jose State before moving on to the NFL.
He served as the Minnesota Vikings’ assistant offensive line coach from 2014-16, and then went back to college to serve as the offensive line coach in UCLA before he landed with the Lions in 2018.
The Lions might have a way to entice Fraley to stay. That would come in the form of their own offensive coordinator position, which figures to open up this offseason with Johnson likely to get a head-coaching gig.
But Fraley is unlikely to be the only coach the Lions consider to replace Johnson if he moves on. Head coach Dan Campbell is very high on running backs coach Scottie Montgomery, who he thinks is head coach material.
Dan Campbell says he believes Scottie Montgomery is also a head coach candidate.
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) January 7, 2025
It’s also possible that Montgomery will draw interest for offensive coordinator openings elsewhere, but there have been no reports of interview requests for the running backs coach.
Lions coaches drawing this level of interest speaks to just how good the staff is in Detroit, something Campbell spoke to recently. Campbell also made it clear that he’s well aware this could be the last go around for the group as is.
“This is a special team and it’s a special staff, and it’s been that way since that beginning,” Campbell said, per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic.
“And I know — hey, when it’s over, it’s over. But we’re going to make the most of it until that time comes,” Campbell added.
Like Fraley, both Johnson and Glenn will interview this week, with the Lions giving them a window from Thursday to Saturday to do so.
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