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Hank Fraley

2025 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

January 26th, 2025 at 9:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Last year, half the league changed up at offensive and defensive coordinator. As most HC-needy teams have now filled their open positions, the coordinator carousel has accelerated. Here is how the market looks now. When other teams make changes, they will be added to the list.

Updated 2-21-25 (1:59pm CT)

Offensive coordinators

Chicago Bears (Out: Chris Beatty)

Cleveland Browns (Out: Ken Dorsey)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Brian Schottenheimer)

Detroit Lions (Out: Ben Johnson)

  • John Morton, pass-game coordinator (Broncos): Hired

Houston Texans (Out: Bobby Slowik)

Jacksonville Jaguars (Out: Press Taylor)

Las Vegas Raiders 

New England Patriots (Out: Alex Van Pelt)

New Orleans Saints (Out: Klint Kubiak)

New York Jets (Out: Nathaniel Hackett)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Kellen Moore)

  • Kevin Patullo, pass-game coordinator (Eagles): Promoted

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks (Out: Ryan Grubb)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Liam Coen)

Defensive coordinators

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Jimmy Lake)

Chicago Bears (Out: Eric Washington)

Cincinnati Bengals (Out: Lou Anarumo)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Mike Zimmer)

Detroit Lions (Out: Aaron Glenn)

  • Larry Foote, inside linebackers coach (Buccaneers): Interviewed
  • Kelvin Sheppard, linebackers coach (Lions): Promoted

Indianapolis Colts (Out: Gus Bradley)

Jacksonville Jaguars (Out: Ryan Nielsen)

  • Anthony Campanile, linebackers coach/running game coordinator (Packers): Hired
  • Jonathan Cooley, pass-game coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
  • Patrick Graham, former defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interviewed 1/27
  • Daronte Jones, defensive pass-game coordinator (Vikings): Interviewed 1/27
  • Aubrey Pleasant, defensive pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/28

Las Vegas Raiders 

New England Patriots (Out: DeMarcus Covington)

  • Ryan Crow, outside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/21
  • Terrell Williams, defensive line coach (Lions): Hired

New Orleans Saints (Out: Joe Woods)

New York Jets (Out: Jeff Ulbrich)

  • Chris Harris, former defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator (Titans): Interviewed 1/29
  • Steve Wilks, former defensive coordinator (49ers): To be hired

San Francisco 49ers (Out: Nick Sorensen)

Lions To Promote OL Coach Hank Fraley

January 24th, 2025 at 4:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Hank Fraley is out of the Seahawks’ OC search. As the Lions grapple with losing both their coordinators and their D-line coach, they will retain their O-line leader. It will take a promotion to ensure that happens.

The Lions will add a run-game coordinator bump to their O-line coach’s title, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. This will ensure Fraley stays in charge of one of the NFL’s top O-lines, and it takes a name out of consideration for the Seahawks. The Lions had lost Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn and Terrell Williams this week.

Fraley’s wife, Danielle, initially broke the news her husband would be staying. Danielle Fraley mentioned Chicago as a rumored destination, which would have made sense given that Johnson is now running the show there. But Hank Fraley will continue for an eighth season in Detroit. He had joined Johnson in arriving under Matt Patricia, though Fraley has been in Detroit longer — since 2018. The Lions had hired him as their assistant O-line coach, before promoting him in 2020. Fraley has overseen one of the NFL’s top blocking groups since.

The Seahawks met with Fraley twice about potentially replacing Ryan Grubb; the second meeting took place in-person earlier this week. Seattle has Klint Kubiak and Vikings assistant Grant Udinski as its other present finalists. Both Kubiak and Udinski met about the job January 17. This Seahawks process is now dragging a bit, and it will be interesting to see whether the team chooses between the Saints and Vikings staffers soon or adds another finalist.

Fraley has been Detroit’s O-line coach throughout All-Pro Penei Sewell‘s career, and Frank Ragnow has been a regular Pro Bowler under Fraley. The Lions also saw Graham Glasgow rediscover his best form when back with Fraley, after he had struggled to justify a Broncos free agency deal. While Dan Campbell has plenty of work to do elsewhere on his staff, he will not need to worry about his O-line setup for the time being.

It is a bit interesting the Lions did not need to dangle the OC title for Fraley to stay, but with no known interviews commencing, the team would have needed to comply with the Rooney Rule to make that happen. That would mean one external minority is interviewed. Fraley will be set to be a top lieutenant under Detroit’s to-be-determined next play-caller.

Elsewhere on the Lions’ staff, Campbell has added a replacement for Williams. Kacy Rodgers, whose Buccaneers contract had expired, will take over as D-line coach, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. Rodgers had interviewed for the Packers’ job as well. Rodgers, 55, had worked under Todd Bowles for the past 10 seasons, moving from Jets DC to Bucs D-line coach. The 55-year-old assistant has been in the NFL since 2003. Notably, Rodgers’ first NFL gig — as Cowboys DTs coach from 2003-04 — overlapped with Campbell’s time as a Dallas tight end. Rodgers moved up to Cowboys D-line coach during Campbell’s final Dallas season (2005).

Seahawks Schedule Second OC Interview With Hank Fraley

January 21st, 2025 at 10:12am CST by Adam La Rose

The Lions have already lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to the Bears, while defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn looks to be on track to land the Jets’ head coaching gig. Detroit’s staff could even more shorthanded in the near future.

Offensive line coach Hank Fraley is scheduled to take part in a second interview for the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator position, ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports. This in-person meeting will take place today. Fraley is now the third candidate who has advanced to the finalist stage.

Seattle replaced Pete Carroll with Mike Macdonald as head coach last offseason, and Ryan Grubb was brought in as offensive coordinator. That setup did not go as planned, though, and Grubb was among the coordinators fired at the end of the regular season. Seattle has met with five replacement candidates so far, and with a trio of finalists in place it would come as a surprise if that list were to expand any further.

Fraley’s virtual interview with the Seahawks was his first for an offensive coordinator position. O-line coaches do not generally tend to receive coordinator opportunities, but the 47-year-old is held in high regard. He quickly transitioned to coaching after a decade-long NFL playing career, working with offensive lines at both the college and NFL levels. Fraley has been in the Motor City since 2018, and he was promoted to O-line coach in 2020.

The success of his unit has been a driving force for the Lions’ overall play on offense in recent years. As a result, losing Fraley would deal a blow to Detroit on that side of the ball. Head coach Dan Campbell said yesterday he is prepared to look at internal and external candidates to replace Johnson, and Fraley could receive consideration if he were to remain with the Lions. A departure could take place depending on the outcome of his Seattle interview, however.

Via PFR’s coordinator search tracker, this is how things are shaping up for the Seahawks:

Seahawks To Meet With Thomas Brown, Hank Fraley For OC Job

January 9th, 2025 at 10:29am CST by Sam Robinson

A year ago, the Seahawks gave Shane Waldron permission to pursue other jobs. This led to Waldron beating out Thomas Brown for the Bears’ OC job. But Brown was left standing by season’s end, moving up two rungs on the ladder after Waldron’s OC ouster.

With the Bears likely moving away from their interim HC, Brown is now in play for the Seahawks’ job. The two-time OC will interview for the Seahawks’ play-calling post, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. Hank Fraley, the Lions’ offensive line coach, will as well, per Pelissero.

The Seahawks moved on from Ryan Grubb after one year. Mike Macdonald had gone off the board with Grubb, who had been set to become Alabama’s OC, but backtracked quickly. The Seattle HC has labeled this a prime job, citing the team’s young talent. The Seahawks are also tentatively expected to bring back Geno Smith for a fourth season as the starting QB, though the team’s long-term plan at the game’s premier position is unsettled. Smith is going into a contract year.

Fraley’s interview is on tap for Friday, and he should have some momentum. Although O-line coaches do not make a habit of climbs to OC roles, Fraley is coaching what has been one of the NFL’s best position groups for a while. He has overseen Detroit’s O-line since 2020, guiding the likes of Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow to Pro Bowls and helping Graham Glasgow rebound from an inconsistent Broncos tenure to reclaim his place as a starter. Fraley’s unit has been a primary driver of Jared Goff‘s resurgence. A former NFL O-lineman, Fraley has been in Detroit since the 2018 season, beginning as assistant O-line coach before being elevated.

As this is Fraley’s first OC interview, Brown has been on the circuit for a bit — to the point he has received HC meetings. The Panthers hired Brown as their OC in 2023, and he finished out a woeful season as the team’s OC. Amid a collapse that initially stemmed from a defensive gaffe in Washington, the Bears won just one of their final 11 games. Although this can partially be pinned on Brown after he replaced Matt Eberflus, the team acknowledges the tough spot its interim HC/play-caller handled. The Bears began the season with Brown as their pass-game coordinator, but Waldron’s firing led to two bumps during a 5-12 season.

Brown, 38, and Macdonald were both on the Georgia staff in 2011, as ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson notes. Brown will meet with the Seahawks on Saturday, SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets. A Bears separation would mean a fourth team in four years for Brown, who jumped from Los Angeles to Charlotte to Chicago from 2022-24.

Considering he is a long shot to be retained in Chicago, this Seattle meeting will be pivotal for the former Sean McVay assistant’s path. Brown’s past with Waldron — in both Los Angeles and Chicago — is rather interesting as well, as it could mean a return to a familiar scheme for Smith.

Coaching Notes: Rams, WFT, Jets, Falcons, Broncos, Steelers

January 21st, 2021 at 9:44pm CST by Ben Levine

The Rams have found their new special teams coordinator, as the team announced that they’ve hired Joe DeCamillis. The veteran coach will be replacing John Bonamego, who’s transitioning to a senior coaching assistant role.

DeCamillis brings 32 years of NFL coaching experience, including the past four years as the Jaguars special teams coordinator. During his stint in Jacksonville, the team traditionally ranked top-10 in many special teams categories, and in 2019, DeCamillis helped guide punter Logan Cooke and kicker Josh Lambo to becoming the first teammates to lead the NFL in net punting average and field goal percentage.

Prior to working with the Jaguars, the 55-year-old spent time as special teams coordinator with the Broncos, Bears, and Cowboys, and he also spent time on the Falcons and Giants coaching staffs.

Bonamego, 57, joined the Rams last February. He spent the 2019 season as special teams coordinator of the Lions, and he was Central Michigan’s head coach between the 2015 and 2018 seasons.

Some more coaching notes from around the league…

  • Jennifer King is expected to become a full-time offensive assistant on Washington‘s coaching staff, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). This makes King “the first full-time Black female coach in NFL history,” per The Athletic. The Guilford College product spent the 2020 season as a full-year coaching intern on Ron Rivera‘s staff.
  • It’s looking like new Jets head coach Robert Saleh has finalized his offensive coaching staff. We previously heard about the hirings of Mike LaFleur as offensive coordinator, Greg Knapp as quarterbacks coach, John Benton as offensive line coach, and Rob Calabrese as passing game specialist. ESPN’s Rich Cimini passed along a few names we can add to the list, including wide receivers coach Miles Austin, running backs coach Taylor Embree, and tight ends coach Ron Middleton. As Cimini notes, the staff doesn’t feature a whole lot of experience, with Calabrese, Embree, and Austin serving as first-time NFL positional coaches.
  • The Falcons are expected to hire Charles London as their new quarterbacks coach, reports NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). It’s a bit of an interesting hire, as London has spent the last nine years serving as a running backs coach with the Texans, Bears, and Penn State. However, the 45-year-old does have experience as an offensive assistant/quality control coach with the Titans and Bears.
  • Mike Klis of 9News in Denver tweets that Broncos running backs coach Curtis Modkins has drawn interest “from around the league as offensive coordinator.” The 50-year-old has consistently served as an NFL running backs coach since the 2008 season, spending time with the Chiefs, Cardinals, Bills, Lions, 49ers, and Bears.
  • Mike Tomlin interviewed Hank Fraley for the Steelers OL coach gig, reports Gerry Dulac of the Post-Gazette (via Twitter). Fraley actually started his NFL career in Pittsburgh, as the Steelers signed him as an undrafted free agent back in 2000. Following a playing career that saw him appear in 142 games (mostly with the Eagles and Browns), Fraley has served as a coach at both the collegiate and professional level, including a recent stint as the Lions offensive line coach.

Lions Rumors: Glasgow, Stafford, Staff, Draft

January 23rd, 2020 at 4:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Lions will fill the offensive line coach post vacated by Jeff Davidson stepping away from coaching by promoting Hank Fraley, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press notes. Fraley spent the past two seasons as Detroit’s assistant O-line coach and served in that role for the Vikings previously. The former NFL veteran has been a team’s top offensive line coach three times, but each occurred at California colleges — the University of San Diego, San Jose State and UCLA — and each stay lasted one season. Fraley, 42, spent three seasons with the Vikings. Davidson is coaching as part of the Lions’ Senior Bowl staff but will not return for the 2020 season.

Here is the latest out of Detroit:

  • After some murky comments about his Detroit future in the season’s immediate aftermath, Graham Glasgow could well be a starter somewhere else in 2020. The Lions are expected to let Glasgow walk in free agency, Birkett adds. While they would still have four of their five starting offensive linemen back, Glasgow has been a productive player for years and would profile as one of the better blockers available come March. Working in a three-guard rotation with Joe Dahl and Kenny Wiggins, Glasgow rated as Pro Football Focus’ No. 12 guard this season.
  • Although Patricia gave Paul Pasqualoni play-calling responsibilities in his two-year stay as Lions defensive coordinator, it is not yet known if new Detroit DC Cory Undlin will call plays. As of now, Undlin has “no idea” if he will be calling the signals next season, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. The Lions fell from 10th to 31st in total defense in Pasqualoni’s second season in charge, though DVOA rated Detroit’s defense as a bottom-end unit (27th and 28th) in each of the ex-Syracuse HC’s two years running the unit.
  • Given the Lions’ endorsement of Matthew Stafford, and the hot seats Patricia and GM Bob Quinn are on, the draft’s No. 3 overall pick could be for sale. While Patricia said (via Birkett) it is too early to declare the team open for business at No. 3, his and Quinn’s comments about Stafford’s status point to the Lions as a candidate to move down and collect assets from a team eyeing Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert. Patricia does not expect Stafford’s injury issues over the past two years to affect how the Lions proceed in the draft.

NFC North Notes: Lions, Vikings, Packers

February 16th, 2018 at 5:16pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions should use the franchise tag on Ziggy Ansah, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press argues. Ansah’s injury history is troubling, but he is the Lions’ top pass rusher and the team cannot risk losing him to free agency, in Birkett’s opinion. The projected ~$17.5MM tag for defensive ends is not cheap, but it would give the Lions several months to hammer out a long-term deal with the 28-year-old (29 in May).

Over the last two seasons, Ansah has spent 25 of a possible 32 weeks on the injury report, but he has only missed five regular season games. Playing through the pain, Ansah graded out as just the 40th ranked edge defender in the NFL last year, per Pro Football Focus.

While the Lions mull the Ansah decision, here’s more from the NFC North:

  • The Vikings are one of six teams that could change the course of the offseason, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com writes. Minnesota has three starting-caliber quarterbacks heading towards free agency in Case Keenum, Sam Bradford, and Teddy Bridgewater and no one knows which, if any, they will retain. If they decide to move forward with Keenum, it remains to be seen whether the Vikings will use the franchise tag, the transition tag, or extend him. The Vikings also have lots of cap room to work with (just over $49MM, eighth highest in the NFL, per Over The Cap) and they should have plenty to still use even if they extend the likes of Anthony Barr, Stefon Diggs, and Trae Waynes. That number will also increase if defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd is unable to play.
  • With Kirk Cousins likely to top Jimmy Garoppolo‘s record-setting quarterback contract in the coming weeks, the Packers should move quickly to extend their own signal-caller in Aaron Rodgers, argues Pete Dougherty of PackersNews.com. Green Bay likely doesn’t want to let Rodgers get too close to an expiring contact (he has two years remaining at present), so the club needs to hammer out a long-term deal in the near future. In fact, the Packers could press Rodgers to ink a new pact before free agency begins next month. Not only would that timeline allow Green Bay to sign Rodgers before Cousins resets the quarterback market, but it would give the team a long-term view of its salary cap situation.
  • The Lions have hired former NFLer Hank Fraley as their new assistant offensive line coach, the club announced today. Fraley, who spent 11 years in the league as an interior offensive lineman, has previously coached for the Vikings and at San Diego State and UCLA in the collegiate ranks. In Detroit, he’ll work under Jeff Davidson, who was recently hired as the team’s OL coach. The Lions also announced the retention of Evan Rothstein, who will now serve as assistant to the head coach/research and analysis.

Raiders Notes: Gannon, Fraley, Marynowitz

January 10th, 2018 at 6:55pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Rich Gannon will not be the next Raiders’ quarterbacks coach, as he explained to 95.7 The Game (Twitter link via Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area). Gannon, now a commentator with CBS Sports, apparently had some level of interest in the position, but “came to his senses” on a flight to Oakland, realizing he couldn’t put in the required time commitment. Gannon, of course, has a long relationship with new Oakland head coach Jon Gruden, as he served as Gruden’s starting quarterback with the Raiders from 1999-2001. The 2002 MVP, Gannon lost to Gruden’s Buccaneers in that year’s Super Bowl. Without Gannon in tow, Oakland may simply choose not to hire a QBs coach, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Here’s more from Oakland:

  • The Raiders are hiring an offensive line coach to replace Mike Tice, and the club has no shortage of candidates. Incumbent Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin — who is also in the running for the Bengals OL job — has interviewed with Oakland. Meanwhile, former Eagles lineman Hank Fraley, former Dolphins coach Jim Turner, and longtime NFL stalwarts Hal Hunter and Frank Smith are also contenders for the position, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link).
  • Cowboys running backs Gary Brown is interviewing for the same role with the Raiders today, per Rapoport (Twitter link). Gruden had been expected to target Brown ever since he was linked to the Oakland job, but Dallas reportedly isn’t giving him up without a fight. Whether or not Brown decides to defect to the Bay Area could depend on the content of today’s meeting. Brown, who enjoyed a nine-year career as an NFL running back, first entered the coaching ranks with Cleveland in 2009.
  • Alabama defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley is interviewing to become the Raiders’ new secondary coach, according to Rapoport (Twitter link). Ansley has never coached at the NFL level, but he does offer vast collegiate experience at stops such as Kentucky and Tennessee. Recent reports have indicated Ansley will be Colorado State’s next defensive coordinator, but he could hypothetically pass up that opportunity in order to join the NFL.
  • The Raiders are speaking to Alabama associate athletic director for football Ed Marynowitz about a role in their personnel department, reports Michael Lombardi of the Ringer (Twitter link). Marynowitz previously worked under Chip Kelly in the Eagles’ front office, but was fired along with Kelly in 2015.

NFC Notes: Cowboys, Redskins, Vikings, Seahawks

January 21st, 2017 at 11:16am CST by Ben Levine

The Cowboys defensive line struggled at times this past season, so it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that the team would be searching for some reinforcement this offseason. Executive vice president Stephen Jones essentially confirmed that the team would be pursuing an edge rusher when appearing on Ben and Skin on KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan (via DallasNews.com):

“There’s no question. That’s why we always have to continue to be better. We haven’t done a good job of that. We’ve tried in several different ways to make that happen. But as we sit here today, we don’t have that player. We saw glimpses of that with Randy Gregory, but that’s a huge question mark as to when he might be able to come back and be a football player in the NFL. Getting his life off the field in the right order is the most important thing. But in the mean time, there’s no question what our needs are. The focus is gonna be on defense.

“You don’t ever shut your eye to a player who can help improve you on the offensive side of the ball either. We showed that last year when everybody knew how bad we needed defense and we obviously picked Zeke. Had the right rationale for it. I don’t think anything could have gone more according to plan than picking Zeke. I don’t think you ever rule out anything. That’s how you make huge mistakes. But I think it’s obvious to anyone who watches our football team that the defensive side of the football, especially our front seven, is where we need the most improvement.”

Let’s check out some more notes from around the NFC…

  • The Redskins‘ search for a defensive coordinator will be entering a third week, and one player believes the wait is a positive sign for outside linebackers coach (and candidate) Greg Manusky. ESPN.com’s John Keim writes that the former Colts defensive coordinator has the support of the Redskins players, and he notes that the front office may appreciate the continuity and Manusky’s familiarity with the organization.
  • Keim writes that the Redskins want to hang on to assistant defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant, noting that Sean McVay has had interest in bringing his former co-worker to the Rams. Pleasant played a significant role in helping former wideout Quinton Dunbar transition to a defensive back.
  • UCLA has hired Vikings assistant offensive line coach Hank Fraley as their new offensive line coach, reports Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports (via Twitter). The former NFL lineman had spent the past three seasons in Minnesota, and he previously coached at the University of San Diego and San Jose State.
  • The Seahawks worked out a trio of players yesterday, according to Howard Balzer on Twitter: offensive linemen Pierce Burton and Tayo Fabuluje and defensive end B.J. McBryde. Fabuluje, a former sixth-round pick, played four game for the Bears in 2015. Burton and McBryde have yet to play in an NFL game.