Lions Assistant Coach Position Named for “Dark Horse” Raiders Head Coach Candidate
Josh McDaniels, head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, reached his breaking point after the team’s Week 8 loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night football.The day following the Raiders’ 26-14 victory over Detroit, McDaniels was dismissed.
Paradoxically, it’s not impossible for an assistant coach from the Lions to succeed McDaniels in Las Vegas.
Running back coach Scottie Montgomery of the Lions and fan-favorite NFL writer Ryan Heckman were touted as dark horses for the Raiders head coach position.
The Detroit Lions have been one of the league’s more pleasant surprises during the last few years, according to Heckman. They are now the second-best offensive team in the league after offensively dominating in both passing and rushing.
“No matter who is holding the rock, they have become better at running the football over the past two seasons and continue to do it rather well. Jamaal Williams led the NFL in rushing touchdowns the previous season. Jahmyr Gibbs, a rookie this year, is rising to prominence after veteran David Montgomery had a fantastic start to the season prior to an injury.
In an attempt to replicate their success from a year ago, when Josh Jacobs led the NFL in rushing, the Raiders may decide to pursue a player similar to Scottie Montgomery, who has contributed to the Lions’ success in that area.
This season, the Lions rank in the top ten in both rushing touchdowns and rushing yards per game. In terms of yards per carry, Detroit is ranked 13th.
“Dark Horse” Scottie Montgomery named as a contender for the Raiders opening
Head coaches the following year usually have the highest chance of being offensive and defensive coordinators. However, Montgomery might make an exception in the forthcoming offseason.
Montgomery has eighteen years of coaching experience, but he has never served as an offensive coordinator in the NFL. In addition, he has expertise as a head coach and offensive coordinator at the collegiate level.
Montgomery was Duke’s offensive coordinator from 2013 to 2015. From 2019 to 2020, he also served as Maryland’s offensive coordinator.
He led East Carolina as its head coach from 2016 to 2018 in the interim.
From 2010 to 2012, Montgomery was the wide receivers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was his first NFL coaching position. In 2021, he rejoined the league as the Indianapolis Colts’ running backs coach.
Montgomery’s rushing attacks have finished in the top 10 in the NFL twice since 2021, including this season. Josh Jacobs, the running back for the Raiders, topped the NFL in rushing yards the previous year, but this season the running game in Las Vegas has not performed well.
Heckman referred to Montgomery’s ability to run the ball well as a dark horse possibility for the head coach of the Raiders.
Heckman stated, “The Raiders would serve themselves well by focusing back in on the run game, and Montgomery’s success in this area, along with his current title as an assistant head coach, make him an intriguing candidate to help that happen.” This was in addition to the fact that Montgomery is currently an assistant head coach.
Heckman also mentioned offensive coordinators Darrell Bevell of the Miami Dolphins, Wes Phillips of the Minnesota Vikings, and Jim Bob Cooter of the Colts as potential dark horse picks for the Raiders, in addition to Montgomery.
It’s anticipated that several Lions assistants will run for head coach.
After the 2023 season, Montgomery is hardly the only Lions assistant who might draw interest from other clubs.
During the offseason, Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for Detroit, conducted interviews with the Colts, Houston Texans, and Carolina Panthers regarding head coaching positions. However, Johnson decided to go back to the Lions.
Interest was also shown in Aaron Glenn, the defensive coordinator.He spoke with the Arizona Cardinals and Colts.
This season, the Lions are sixth in points scored and second in offensive yards. Additionally, they are second in run defence and eighth in yards allowed.
It wouldn’t be shocking if Johnson and Glenn were to be interviewed for various head coaching positions again during the offseason, given those numbers.
Heckman’s implication that the Raiders would be considering Montgomery is probably going to be the first of many rumours surrounding the assistants for the Lions in the coming months.
