In what has to be described as a shocking move, long-time Detroit Lions assistant coach Gunther Cunningham has left the team in order to take on an entirely different career.
In a statement released by Detroit on Friday, the team announced that Cunningham is joining Pro Football Focus to become the site’s director of football oversight.
“We are thrilled to add to our PFF family one of the true legends of defensive football,” Pro Football Focus CEO/Owner Cris Collinsworth said, via the Lions’ official website. “Gunther Cunningham is such a unique coach and person. He has always connected with his players in such a deep personal way, and his aggressive style of defense has always made him a player and fan favorite.”
Cunningham, 70, began his NFL coaching career as a linebackers and defensive line coach for the then Baltimore Colts back in 1982. He would later act as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs before becoming the Chiefs head coach from 1999-2000.
Cunningham served as the Lions’ defensive coordinator from 2009-13 before taking on a role as a senior assistant over the past three seasons.