The former Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl champion will join the Detroit Lions’ coaching staff.
In Pittsburgh, a former Steelers captain, renowned defender, and Super Bowl champion is transitioning to a new role with the Detroit Lions this week. As per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, Deshea Townsend, a former Steelers defensive back, will assume the position of defensive passing game coordinator with the Detroit Lions. Townsend previously held the same role while coaching cornerbacks for the Jacksonville Jaguars over the past two seasons.Drafted in the fourth round from Alabama, Townsend spent 12 out of his 13 NFL seasons with the Steelers. He commenced 80 out of 183 games played and earned two Super Bowl championships. Throughout his tenure in Pittsburgh, he accumulated 460 tackles, 27 of which were for a loss, along with 15.5 sacks. Additionally, he contributed 112 passes defended, 21 interceptions, and three defensive touchdowns.Transitioning into coaching, Townsend began his coaching career with the Arizona Cardinals in 2011, serving as an assistant defensive backs coach. He then transitioned to collegiate coaching, assuming the role of head cornerbacks coach at Mississippi State from 2013 to 2015, before rejoining the NFL. Townsend held positions as a defensive backs coach with the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, and Chicago Bears before eventually joining the Jaguars.
