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 13-2-0, 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 13-2-0 86.7% 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.