Detroit Lions defensive coordinator history
Aaron Glenn
Glenn is the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions since the 2021 season, a total of four years. The team made it to the playoffs one time (2023) and had a 2-1 record under Coach Glenn in playoff games.
Cory Undlin
Undlin was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 2020 season.
Paul Pasqualoni
Pasqualoni was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 2018-2019 seasons, a total of two years.
Teryl Austin
Austin was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 2014-2017 seasons, a total of four years. The team made it to the playoffs two times (2014, 2016) and had a 0-2 record under Coach Austin in playoff games.
Gunther Cunningham
Cunningham was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 2009-2013 seasons, a total of five years. The team made it to the playoffs one time (2011) and had a 0-1 record under Coach Cunningham in playoff games.
Joe Barry
Barry was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 2007-2008 seasons, a total of two years. Barry's record as the team's defensive coordinator was 7-25-0, making him the third-least successful defensive coordinator in Detroit Lions history.
Donnie Henderson
Henderson was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 2006 season. Henderson's record as the team's defensive coordinator was 3-13-0, making him the second-least successful defensive coordinator in Detroit Lions history.
Dick Jauron
Jauron was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 2004-2005 seasons, a total of two years.
Kurt Schottenheimer
Schottenheimer was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 2002-2003 seasons, a total of two years.
Vince Tobin
Tobin was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 2001 season. Tobin's record as the team's defensive coordinator was 2-14-0, making him the least successful defensive coordinator in Detroit Lions history.
Larry Peccatiello
Peccatiello was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 1997-2000 seasons, a total of four years. The team made it to the playoffs two times (1997, 1999) and had a 0-2 record under Coach Peccatiello in playoff games.
Jim Eddy
Eddy was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 1996 season.
Herb Paterra
Paterra was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 1994-1995 seasons, a total of two years. Paterra's record as the team's defensive coordinator was 19-13-0, making him the third-most successful defensive coordinator in Detroit Lions history. The team made it to the playoffs two times (1994-1995) and had a 0-2 record under Coach Paterra in playoff games.
Hank Bullough
Bullough was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 1993 season. Bullough's record as the team's defensive coordinator was 10-6-0, making him the second-most successful defensive coordinator in Detroit Lions history.
Woody Widenhofer
Widenhofer was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 1989-1992 seasons, a total of four years. The team made it to the playoffs one time (1991) and had a 1-1 record under Coach Widenhofer in playoff games.
Wayne Fontes
Fontes was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 1985-1988 seasons, a total of four years.
Ed Beard
Beard was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 1983-1984 seasons, a total of two years. The team made it to the playoffs one time (1983) and had a 0-1 record under Coach Beard in playoff games.
Maxie Baughan
Baughan was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 1980-1982 seasons, a total of three years. The team made it to the playoffs one time (1982) and had a 0-1 record under Coach Baughan in playoff games.
Fritz Shurmur
Shurmur was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 1977 season.
Jim Carr
Carr was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 1976 season.
Don Shula
Shula was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 1960-1962 seasons, a total of three years. Shula's record as the team's defensive coordinator was 26-13-1, making him the most successful defensive coordinator in Detroit Lions history.
Buster Ramsey
Ramsey was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in the 1952-1959 seasons, a total of eight years. The team made it to the playoffs four times (1952-1954, 1957) and had a 5-1 record under Coach Ramsey in playoff games.
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator record
| Coach | Years | Record | Win percentage | Playoff record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Glenn | 2021-2024 | 37-28-1 | 56.8% | 2-1 |
| Cory Undlin | 2020 | 5-11-0 | 31.3% | 0-0 |
| Paul Pasqualoni | 2018-2019 | 9-22-1 | 29.7% | 0-0 |
| Teryl Austin | 2014-2017 | 36-28-0 | 56.3% | 0-2 |
| Gunther Cunningham | 2009-2013 | 29-51-0 | 36.3% | 0-1 |
| Joe Barry | 2007-2008 | 7-25-0 | 21.9% | 0-0 |
| Donnie Henderson | 2006 | 3-13-0 | 18.8% | 0-0 |
| Dick Jauron | 2004-2005 | 11-21-0 | 34.4% | 0-0 |
| Kurt Schottenheimer | 2002-2003 | 8-24-0 | 25.0% | 0-0 |
| Vince Tobin | 2001 | 2-14-0 | 12.5% | 0-0 |
| Larry Peccatiello | 1997-2000 | 31-33-0 | 48.4% | 0-2 |
| Jim Eddy | 1996 | 5-11-0 | 31.3% | 0-0 |
| Herb Paterra | 1994-1995 | 19-13-0 | 59.4% | 0-2 |
| Hank Bullough | 1993 | 10-6-0 | 62.5% | 0-0 |
| Woody Widenhofer | 1989-1992 | 30-34-0 | 46.9% | 1-1 |
| Wayne Fontes | 1985-1988 | 20-43-0 | 31.7% | 0-0 |
| Ed Beard | 1983-1984 | 13-18-1 | 42.2% | 0-1 |
| Maxie Baughan | 1980-1982 | 21-20-0 | 51.2% | 0-1 |
| Fritz Shurmur | 1977 | 6-8-0 | 42.9% | 0-0 |
| Jim Carr | 1976 | 6-8-0 | 42.9% | 0-0 |
| Don Shula | 1960-1962 | 26-13-1 | 66.3% | 0-0 |
| Buster Ramsey | 1952-1959 | 55-38-3 | 58.9% | 5-1 |
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator facts
- Buster Ramsey was the first defensive coordinator in Lions history in 1952.
- Buster Ramsey coached the most seasons as the Lions's defensive coordinator at eight seasons.
- Aaron Glenn is the current defensive coordinator, starting ahead of the 2021 season.