The Detroit Lions have emerged as one of the premier franchises in the NFL, largely thanks to their efforts on the sidelines. Since being hired as head coach in 2021, Dan Campbell has cultivated a culture that many around the league are now trying to emulate. This offseason, both Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson landed head coaching roles with the New York Jets and Chicago Bears, respectively—highlighting the league’s growing interest in the Lions’ blueprint for success. However, while Detroit’s coaching tree has produced notable success stories, not every coach has managed to find the same level of success.
Former Lions assistant coach Mark DeLeone has found a new opportunity in the NFL, joining the Kansas City Chiefs as their assistant running backs coach. The move comes in the wake of assistant special teams coach Andy Hill’s retirement, prompting a reshuffling of the Chiefs’ coaching staff. DeLeone, who held the role of inside linebackers coach with the Detroit Lions in 2021, was let go after just one season. After being out of the league again briefly, he’s now back with a team poised to compete for another Super Bowl—potentially against his former squad.
With Andy Hill retiring, Porter Ellett has shifted to assistant special teams coach under Dave Toub. Mark DeLeone, previously the Chiefs’ linebackers coach, is back in Kansas City and replaces Ellett as assistant running backs coach.
DeLeone has moved around the NFL since beginning his career with the New York Jets as a defensive assistant in 2012. He joined the Chiefs in 2013 as a defensive quality control coach, then became assistant linebackers coach in 2016 and inside linebackers coach in 2018. He held the same role with the Chicago Bears in 2019 and 2020 before heading to Detroit, then served as a defensive analyst for Kansas and coached inside linebackers for the Ravens last season.
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