Allen Park, Mich. – Detroit Lions today announced the following updates to the technical team:
TODD WASH – DEFENSIVE LINE
Wash joins the Lions as the team’s defensive line coach in 2021, his 26th season as a coach and his 15th in the NFL. Wash has spent the past eight seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, originally joining the team as a defensive line coach / racing game coordinator in 2013 and serving as a 2016-20 defensive coordinator. Prior to joining Jacksonville, he spent the 2011-12 seasons as a defensive line coach for the Seattle Seahawks and served as a defensive line coach (2008-10) and defensive quality control coach (2007) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wash’s technical career began with an 11-year term in college (1996-2006), including as principal technician and defensive coordinator at Fort Lewis College from 1997-99. He also worked in various roles in Nebraska-Kearney, North Dakota State and Missouri Southern State before making the transition to the NFL. Wash played a linebacker and graduated from the state of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a master’s degree in athletic administration.
SETH RYAN – ASSISTANT RECEIVERS
Ryan joins Lions as an assistant coach for the team’s wide receivers in 2021, after spending the last four seasons (2017-20) with the Los Angeles Chargers, serving as a 2017-18 training intern and offensive quality control coach. 2019-20. During his time in LA, Ryan worked primarily with the team’s wide receivers and helped guide WRs Mike Williams and Keenan Allen (three) through 1,000-yard seasons during that period. Allen did the Pro Bowl in all four years of work with Ryan and produced a franchise record of 104 receptions in 2019. Ryan was a wide receiver at Clemson in 2013-16 and helped the Tigers win the 2016 National College Football Championship .
KELVIN SHEPPARD – DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT
Sheppard joined Lions as a defense assistant in 2021, his first position as an NFL coach. He was originally selected by Buffalo Bills in the third round (68th overall) of the 2011 LSU NFL Draft and shared eight seasons (2011-18) with the Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants and Detroit. He appeared in 107 career games (63 matches) and recorded 400 tackles in total, 3.0 sacks and two interceptions. Following his playing career, he returned to the LSU football program in 2020 as director of player development under coach Ed Orgeron. At LSU, Sheppard was tasked with helping players in their academic direction, social development and quality of life in general.
BRIAN DUKER – DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT
Duker joins Lions as a defense assistant in 2021, after spending the past three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He joined the team in 2018 as a defensive team assistant / technical analyst, before being promoted in 2019 to a technical – defense analyst. Prior to Ravens, Duker had stops with the San Francisco 49ers (2016-17) as a defensive analyst and Cleveland Browns (2015-16) as a defensive intern. Duker’s first coaching experience was at the University of Missouri, where he served as GA recruiter (2013-14) and defensive quality control coach (2014-15). Born in Maryland, Duker earned his bachelor’s degree from Towson University and an MBA from Bryant University.