The Lions have made it clear in the beginning weeks of the offseason that their goal for the 2023 offseason is to make this team as well rounded as possible to compete in the 2023 season at the highest possible level. The Lions defensive line coach Todd Walsh picked up another defensive line coaching gig in the Carolina Panthers organization. Because of Todd Walsh leaving the Lion’s have been actively looking for the replacement for this position and they landed on Penn State defensive line coach John Scott Jr.
James Franklin who is the current head coach for the Penn State Nittany Lions has made the following statement on his twitter confirming John Scott Jr. leaving Penn State’s coaching staff. “I would like to thank John for everything he has contributed to our program over the past three years. John is a great coach and also a great man. I am grateful for his friendship and the impact he has had on our student athletes. This was a great opportunity for him in the NFL and I wish him and his family nothing but the best.”
Although the hire is official at this point his exact position he will be taking within the Lions organization is not official and has yet to be confirmed. The assumption would be that Scott would replace the Lions vacant defensive linecoach but there is a possibility he could be found higher up in the coaching ladder. If Scott were to find a job higher up it would be a surprise to all. Scott has coached nothing but defensive line for his entire career, but an assistant position cannot be ruled out.
Before becoming Penn State’s defensive line coach and now a Detroit Lions coach John Scott Jr. has coached at multiple programs including Louisiana Lafayette, Georgia Southern, South Carolina, Norfolk state, and a few more. He also was part of the Todd Bowles system for two years in New York were he would eventually work his way up to the assistant defensive line position.
For the Detroit Lions trying their hardest to bulk the defense John Scott Jr. might be the perfect fit to help produce the young talent they have on the defensive side of the ball. Although it will be his first time in the NFL since 2017 Scott has had a good run in multiple college programs and could show great strides in the NFL.
