Although the Detroit Lions’ coordinator search continues, they apparently will have at least one assistant staying put.
Offensive line coach Hank Fraley, considered a potential offensive coordinator for new Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson, is set to stay put, according to a social media post by his wife, Danielle, and later confirmed by the Free Press.
“Year 8 loading,” Danielle wrote on Facebook on Friday afternoon. “Did you guys really think we would leave for Chicago?!?! Our hearts are in Detroit!!!”
On Friday, the Lions reportedly promoted Fraley, giving him the title of run game coordinator to go with his offensive line duties, as reported by NFL Network.
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Fraley was seen as a possible non-play-calling hire for Johnson, the former Lions OC who took over their NFC North rival earlier this week. Fraley also had two interviews with the Seattle Seahawks for their vacant offensive coordinator position this month.
Fraley played 11 NFL seasons as a center and has spent the past five years as the Lions’ offensive line coach. Lions center Frank Ragnow joked that he’d be willing to “sabotage him, I’ll leak stories, whatever it takes,” to keep Fraley in Detroit.
The Lions have lost four assistants, including two position coaches, to other jobs around the NFL: Johnson departed for the Bears on Monday and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was hired as head coach by the New York Jets on Wednesday. Defensive line coach Terrell Williams is headed to the New England Patriots as their defensive coordinator, and, on Friday, wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El reportedly joined Johnson in Chicago as the Bears’ WRs coach and assistant head coach.