Lions DC Teryl Austin likely to jump to head coaching in 2016

The Detroit Lions have had an underwhelming season this year, and they will likely be looking for another defensive coordinator in the offseason. It is “likely” that DC Teryl Austin will make the jump from coordinator to head coach next season. Austin is in his second season as Lions DC.

It isn’t a surprise that Austin is a hot commodity on the coaching market. He coached Detroit’s defense in 2014, which was the second best in the league, and has coached the defense this year, which has been a bright spot in a dark season.

Austin’s only other coordinator job was in 2010 with the Florida Gators. He’s been defensive backs coach for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Seattle Seahawks, and Arizona Cardinals, a defensive assistant for the Syracuse Orange and Michigan Wolverines, and a secondary coach for the Baltimore Ravens.

Teams that could be calling Austin include the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts. We all know the Eagles situation. They fired Chip Kelly and have OC Pat Shurmur as interm head coach. The Colts have not yet fired HC Chuck Pagano, but are planning to. I would bet that both teams want an experienced coach, but Austin may be in the list of potential candidates.