Deshea Townsend, the defensive back coach for the New Lions, delivers a message to new students.

The Lions’ pass defense will need to see significant progress, and Deshea Townsend has already communicated with his new students.

The Detroit Lions have replaced their pass defense coordinator following yet another season of poor play. Deshea Townsend will take over as coordinator of the defensive pass game and coach of the defensive backs. After just one season in that position, former defensive backs coach Brian Duker resigned to join the Miami Dolphins, and Dre’ Bly, the coach of cornerbacks, was let go.

Townsend was a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most of his 11 NFL seasons. He began his coaching career in 2011 and spent the previous two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars as their passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach.

Townsend is “going to be able to offer precisely what AG needs on the back end,” according to Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who made this statement this week at the NFL Combine.

Townsend has always admired Glenn, and for a brief period of time, Glenn was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, according to Justin Rogers of the Detroit News.

Townsend is currently compiling a detailed list of the players he is assuming. In addition, as the Lions’ eyes adjust the cornerback depth chart, he is working to assess draft prospects and upcoming free agents.

New students receive an instant message from Deshea Townsend.
This week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Townsend met for the first time with the beat journalists for the Lions. He had a direct message for his new students in the Detroit secondary through Rogers.

Townsend declared, “You won’t play if you won’t tackle.” That’s all there is to it. You cannot play or tackle if it is on the tape. In the end, all I’m looking for are individuals that are eager to make the first move and don’t back down from touch.

The Lions’ defense last season had the fifth-worst tackling grade in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. Naturally, that isn’t entirely on the secondary, but it is obvious that Townsend wants his squad to be instrumental in making the necessary corrections.

According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (subscription needed), Townsend clearly desires to encourage a competitive environment where people must constantly earn their spot.

“As soon as I enter the room, I tell the young guys that it is your responsibility to hold off the starts and to assume the starters’ role. And coaching works in the same manner. You have to show yourself every day and make sure you’re giving it your all at every chance. I wouldn’t expect anything less from them than I would from myself.

Townsend’s background as a coach and player could be the key to improving the Lions’ pass defense. He appears to be a perfect fit for Campbell’s coaching staff overall.