Detroit Lions Add Former Texans Offensive Coordinator George Godsey to Staff

The Detroit Lions announced today the addition of former Houston Texans offensive coordinator to their staff. Godsey will be a defensive assistant.

The Detroit Lions made an addition to their coaching staff today, hiring former Houston Texans offensive coordinator George Godsey. Despite his coaching background on the offensive side of the ball, Godsey’s role with the Lions will be on the other side of the ball as he’s been given the position of Defensive Assistant – Special Projects.

The hiring was announced by the team via press release:

"Godsey joins the Lions coaching staff following a two-year stint (2015-16) as the Houston Texans’ offensive coordinator and one season as the team’s quarterbacks coach in 2014. Prior to Houston, he spent three seasons with the New England Patriots, starting as an offensive assistant in 2011 before coaching the tight ends from 2012-13.After beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Central Florida in 2004, Godsey went on to spend the next six years with the program, working directly with the quarterbacks for four seasons (2005-08) and running backs for two (2009-10).A native of Tampa, Fla., Godsey was a quarterback at Georgia Tech from 1998-2001 before going on to play one season for the Arena Football League’s Tampa Bay Storm. While at Georgia Tech, he set the school record for career completion percentage (63.3) and ranks second in career passer rating (143.6)."

The “special projects” title popped up last year when the team hired Randy Edsall, who has since left to become the head coach at Connecticut (again).

Hiring an offensive coach to a defensive role might sound odd but it’s not unlike the Lions’ hiring of Al Golden last year to coach the tight ends. Golden’s previous coaching experience was as a defensive coach and head coach, but that didn’t stop the Lions from entrusting him with their leading their tight end group.

Ironically, Godsey does have experience coaching tight ends, so the Lions will have a defensive guy coaching tight ends and a former tight end guy helping the defensive coaches. Hopefully having coaches able to bring a mindset from the other side of the ball to their work will be a net positive.

Next: Detroit Lions offseason predictions at tight end

As noted in the press release, Godsey spent time with the New England Patriots prior to his stint on the Texans staff. That time intersecting with general manager Bob Quinn undoubtedly had some influence.