Brian Duker, the DBs coach of the Detroit Lions, is traveling to the Miami Dolphins.
That much is lost for the Detroit Lions’ hopes of retaining every member of their coaching staff through 2024.
Brian Duker, the coach of the Detroit Lions’ defensive backfield, is expected to join the Miami Dolphins as the team’s new pass game coordinator and secondary coach, according to NFL source Tom Pelissero. This information is unexpected, particularly in light of prior rumors indicating the Lions were likely to keep their whole coaching staff in place through the 2024 campaign.
Duker’s NFL Career Path
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Having worked with the Lions for the last three seasons, most recently as the defensive backs coach, Duker has been a rising star in the coaching world. While interning for the Cleveland Browns in 2015, Duker made connections with the coaching staff of the Lions, where current defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was an assistant secondary coach. Duker will initially join the team in 2021 as a defensive assistant.
Following Aubry Pleasant’s departure, Duker assumed more responsibility as safeties coach in 2022 after being promoted. In 2023, he was promoted to defensive backs coach in recognition of his leadership and expertise. Dre Bly was hired to help with the cornerbacks in this new capacity.
In summary
The Miami Dolphins’ acquisition of Brian Duker from the Detroit Lions serves as a prime example of how NFL coaching staffs are constantly evolving. While the Lions will lose his knowledge and style of teaching the secondary, the Dolphins will surely gain from it as they look to improve their defensive performance. This decision not only marks a turning point in Duker’s coaching career, but it also demonstrates how NFL teams’ strategies are always changing and always trying to get better.