The Detroit Lions will not stand in the way of Scottie Montgomery, whose sights are set firmly on a future head coach position. In fact, the organization that just hired him in February is doing all they can to support their Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs in his pursuit of other coaching roles around the league.
On Wednesday it was announced that Montgomery will represent the Lions at the NFL Coach Accelerator Program.
The Lions’ hierarchy, with figures like Sheila Hamp, Brad Holmes, Dan Campbell, and Chris Spielman, does more than just talk about culture. They foster a genuine ecosystem of growth, making the Lions’ den a cradle of coaching talent.
Campbell Praises Why Montgomery is a Big Deal
Campbell couldn’t hide his excitement for Montgomery’s arrival in the Lions’ coaching staff. He shared his emotions on the hire via Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com:
To be able to acquire him as our running back coach/assistant head coach from the Colts, man, was big. I think he’s going to be an outstanding teacher. He’s got a lot of versatility. He’s coached the receivers, he’s coached running backs. He’s been a head coach, he’s been a coordinator. He’s worked with quarterbacks. This is a talented coach, man, that’s got a lot of wisdom.
The Accelerator program is May 21-23 in Minneapolis, as part of the Spring League Meeting. Following the success of the inaugural Coach and Front Office Accelerator in 2022, this year’s event promises a unique platform for participants to engage with owners, executives, and their peers.
“We’ve been encouraged by the positive response to the Accelerator from both club owners and participants,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We look forward to continuing to build on an incredible program that supports diverse talent.”
Beyond networking, the NFL Coach Accelerator Program aims to foster the growth of participants through carefully curated content sessions. The focus remains on honing their executive leadership skills and understanding the Business of Football.
Forty potential future head coaches will grace the program, including 16 returnees from 2022.
A Ton of Football Experience
Scottie Montgomery, who first joined the Lions in the 2023 offseason, is not new to the game. He has an impressive coaching resume spanning 17 years, most recently as running backs coach with the Indianapolis Colts. His coaching tenure began with the Pittsburgh Steelers, overseeing wide receivers from 2010-12.
Montgomery has earned a reputation for bringing out the best in players. His guidance saw Colts’ running back Jonathan Taylor rush for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2021, which led to Pro Bowl and first-team Associated Press All-Pro honors. Under Montgomery’s wing, the Indianapolis Colts ranked second in both rushing yards per game and per carry in 2021.
Before his NFL coaching career, Montgomery coached in college at Maryland, Duke, and East Carolina, including a three-year spell as the ECU Pirates’ head coach. As a former wide receiver for Duke and later player for the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders, he brings a unique perspective to his coaching roles.
One to Watch
Given his wealth of experience, it’s no wonder the Lions chose Scottie Montgomery for the NFL Coach Accelerator Program. His success at various coaching positions, coupled with his playing career, has equipped him with a broad skill set and deep understanding of the game. Attributes that will serve him well in his pursuit of a head coaching role.
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For more from our Detroit Lions beat writer, Matt Broder, check him out on Twitter here: @mattbro21
Contact: Broder@woodwardsports.com
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Original Photo Credit: Robert Scheer, The Indianapolis Star
