Detroit Lions defensive backs coach history
Deshea Townsend
Townsend is the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions since the 2024 season. Townsend's record as the team's defensive backs coach was 6-1-0, making him the most successful defensive backs coach in Detroit Lions history.
Brian Duker
Duker was the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions in the 2023 season. Duker's record as the team's defensive backs coach was 12-5-0, making him the second-most successful defensive backs coach in Detroit Lions history. The team made it to the playoffs one time (2023) and had a 2-1 record under Coach Duker in playoff games.
Aubrey Pleasant
Pleasant was the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions in the 2021-2022 seasons, a total of two years. Pleasant's record as the team's defensive backs coach was 4-19-1, making him the least successful defensive backs coach in Detroit Lions history.
Steve Gregory
Gregory was the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions in the 2020 season.
Brian Stewart
Stewart was the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions in the 2018-2019 seasons, a total of two years. Stewart's record as the team's defensive backs coach was 9-22-1, making him the third-least successful defensive backs coach in Detroit Lions history.
Alan Williams
Williams was the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions in the 2015-2017 seasons, a total of three years. The team made it to the playoffs one time (2016) and had a 0-1 record under Coach Williams in playoff games.
Tony Oden
Oden was the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions in the 2014-2017 seasons, a total of four years. Oden's record as the team's defensive backs coach was 36-28-0, making him the third-most successful defensive backs coach in Detroit Lions history. The team made it to the playoffs two times (2014, 2016) and had a 0-2 record under Coach Oden in playoff games.
Clayton Lopez
Lopez was the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions in the 2006-2007 seasons, a total of two years.
George Catavolos
Catavolos was the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions in the 2004-2005 seasons, a total of two years.
Ray Horton
Horton was the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions in the 2002-2003 seasons, a total of two years. Horton's record as the team's defensive backs coach was 8-24-0, making him the second-least successful defensive backs coach in Detroit Lions history.
John Fontes
Fontes was the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions in the 1992-1996 seasons, a total of five years. The team made it to the playoffs two times (1994-1995) and had a 0-2 record under Coach Fontes in playoff games.
Billie Matthews
Matthews was the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions in the 1989 season.
Willie Shaw
Shaw was the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions in the 1985-1987 seasons, a total of three years.
Carl Taseff
Taseff was the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions in the 1965 season.
Detroit Lions defensive backs coach record
| Coach | Years | Record | Win percentage | Playoff record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deshea Townsend | 2024 | 6-1-0 | 85.7% | 0-0 |
| Brian Duker | 2023 | 12-5-0 | 70.6% | 2-1 |
| Aubrey Pleasant | 2021-2022 | 4-19-1 | 18.8% | 0-0 |
| Steve Gregory | 2020 | 5-11-0 | 31.3% | 0-0 |
| Brian Stewart | 2018-2019 | 9-22-1 | 29.7% | 0-0 |
| Tony Oden | 2014-2017 | 36-28-0 | 56.3% | 0-2 |
| Alan Williams | 2015-2017 | 25-23-0 | 52.1% | 0-1 |
| Clayton Lopez | 2006-2007 | 10-22-0 | 31.3% | 0-0 |
| George Catavolos | 2004-2005 | 11-21-0 | 34.4% | 0-0 |
| Ray Horton | 2002-2003 | 8-24-0 | 25.0% | 0-0 |
| John Fontes | 1992-1996 | 39-41-0 | 48.8% | 0-2 |
| Billie Matthews | 1989 | 7-9-0 | 43.8% | 0-0 |
| Willie Shaw | 1985-1987 | 16-31-0 | 34.0% | 0-0 |
| Carl Taseff | 1965 | 6-7-1 | 46.4% | 0-0 |
Detroit Lions defensive backs coach facts
- Carl Taseff was the first defensive backs coach in Lions history in 1965.
- John Fontes coached the most seasons as the Lions's defensive backs coach at five seasons.
- Deshea Townsend is the current defensive backs coach, starting ahead of the 2024 season.