While we’ve gotten familiar with Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwel l and his coordinators Joe Lombardi and Teryl Austin, he’s also brought in other assistants who play big roles.





Here are three of them:





1. Linebackers coach Bill Sheridan was the linebackers coach for the New York Giants when they won Super Bowl in 2007 where he helped develop Antonio Pierce into a Pro Bowler. He spent the last two seasons in Tampa Bay as the defensive coordinator. He helped the Bucs run defense go from last to first in the NFL in 2012. There he helped develop linebacker Lavonte David and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Sheridan’s experience should benefit young linebackers like Kyle Van Noy, Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis.





2. Defensive backs/cornerbacks coach Tony Oden comes from the Tampa Bay Bucs where he played a big role last season in the development of rookie Johnthan Banks. He also coached for the Saints and won a Super Bowl ring when the Saints beat the Colts (coached by Jim Caldwell) in Super Bowl XLIV. The Lions have young cornerbacks that need to be brought along.





3. Quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter has worked extensively with Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. Cooter and Caldwell worked together with the Colts. Cooter is highly respected and the Broncos wanted to keep him. But there he was an offensive assistant so the move to Detroit was a promotion for him. He’s coached in two Super Bowls — Broncos in February and Colts in XLIV, but is still looking for a ring. Obviously he’ll work closely with Matthew Stafford who, like any quarterback, can improve his game.







