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One thing you can count on with the Detroit Lions is that they are never, ever boring. Follow the latest news including injuries, roster moves and more here daily from Oakland Press beat writer Paula Pasche. Plus you'll find regular commentary about the team.

1/14/2013

Detroit Lions special teams coordinator Danny Crossman will not return; Curtis Modkins, Bobby Johnson hired

After the Detroit Lions 4-12 season, there was no doubt changes would be made.


 On Monday, the team announced that special teams coordinator Danny Crossman will not return. There was no official word on his departure, but reportedly he asked out of his contract so he could coach with his friend Doug Marrone at Buffalo.

The Lions also hired two assistants and moved two others.

Curtis Modkins will coach the running backs. Modkins was let go from the Buffalo Bills at the end of the season along with the rest of the coaching staff. For the past three seasons in Buffalo he was offensive coordinator/running backs coach although Chan Gailey called the plays.

Modkins was instrumental in developing Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. The Bills averaged 4.7 yards per attempt over those three seasons, the fourth best rushing average in the NFL.

Bobby Johnson has been named the tight ends coach. He most recently held the same position with the Jacksonville Jaquars. In 2010-2011 he was the assistant offensive line coach for the Bills.

This will be Johnson’s fourth NFL season after spending 15 seasons at the collegiate ranks.

Tim Lappano, who has been the Lions tight ends coach for the past four seasons, will now coach the wide receivers. This will be his 31st season as a coach and his eighth in the NFL.

Jeremiah Washburn, who was a Lions’ assistant offensive line coach for the past four seasons, was promoted to offensive line coach.

 Shortly after the 4-12 season the Lions did not renew the contracts of Sam Gash, running backs coach; Shawn Jefferson, wide receivers coach; and offensive line coach George Yarno.


(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her new book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)


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