Not only is Lions coach Jim Schwartz adamant about sticking with his Wide 9 alignment, he’s bringing in one of its main proponents to help him.
According to Mike Garafolo of USA Today, former Eagles assistant Jim Washburn will join the Lions as a defensive assistant, bringing his pass-rush expertise to a team that needs it. The Lions were 20th in the league in sacks (34), after finishing 10th in the league (41) the year before.
Washburn and Schwartz worked together in Tennessee, and Jim’s son Jeremiah was just promoted to offensive line coach in Detroit.
That at least makes it less likely he’ll call that particular co-worker insulting names.
According to Justin Rogers of MLive.com, Lions defensive line coach Kris Kocurek was still with the team, coaching defensive linemen at the Senior Bowl.