Dan Campbell has been known to fill out his coaching staff with former NFL players. We’ve seen players like Aaron Glenn, Duce Staley, Hank Fraley, Mark Brunell, and several others on the Detroit Lions‘ coaching staff since Campbell took over in 2021.
Some of those coaches and coordinators have even gone on to accept promotions elsewhere, like Glenn, who is now the head coach of the New York Jets. Now, Campbell has added another former NFL player to his crew, and it’s one the Lions know very well.
According to Rachel Hopmayer of CBS Detroit, recently retired offensive lineman Dan Skipper has accepted a position on coach Campbell’s staff. Though, the actual role Skipper will be filling has yet to be announced.
However, he’s already gaining valuable coaching experience. Skipper worked with offensive linemen and tight ends at this year’s East/West Shrine game. That gives him an early advantage in scouting some of the prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft.
While Skipper’s specific position is still unknown to the public, the Lions do have openings on their coaching staff that could suit his skills. Detroit’s assistant tight ends coach and their assistant offensive line coach both accepted promotions this offseason. Skipper will likely fill one of those positions, but either way, he’ll assuredly be spending most of his time with offensive linemen and possibly help tight ends improve as blockers too.
Skipper entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent back in 2017. He spent eight seasons with the Lions and appeared in three games with the Texans. Now the next chapter of his life will involve helping coach the Lions to more playoff success rather than being a part-time contributor on the field.
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