The Detroit Lions' brain drain goes on. Aaron Glenn is no longer with the Lions as he took the New York Jets head coaching job on Wednesday. Now the Lions must find a new defensive coordinator. 

All signs currently point to Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard taking over the job, but the Lions plan to be thorough in their search to fill the position and that means they'll be looking at outside coaches as well. 

Here are eight names to keep an eye on: 

Former Saints head coach Dennis Allen

This one might be a bit of a long shot. He's favored to take on the DC role for Ben Johnson in Chicago, but the Bears are planning to interview other candidates at this time. There are rumblings out there that the Lions are interested, but that there may be some roadblocks on this one. 

Still, keep an eye on him. As we know, Campbell and Allen were together in New Orleans for five seasons. Allen is a very good DC but struggles as a head coach. 

Michigan State secondary coach Blue Adams

Spartans fans know this guy. Adams is right up the highway in Lansing. He came over this year with Jonathan Smith after being at Oregon State for four seasons. Adams was on Dan Campbell's staff in Miami when he was the Dolphins' interim head coach. They spent two seasons together. Adams was also a cornerback for the Lions in 2003. 

Saints linebackers coach Michael Hodges

Hodges has been making his way up the ladder as a coach in recent years. He spent four seasons in New Orleans with Dan Campbell and worked his way up from defensive assistant to the team's linebackers coach. Hodges has seen some interviews for the position in the past. The Patriots interviewed him for their DC spot last year. 

Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh

I know a lot of Lions fans want this, but this feels like the longest of long shots. Saleh is in the head coach conversation over in Jacksonville where the Jags have interviewed him twice. He has a strong chance of nailing that job. Even if he doesn't, he has no connection with Campbell or really anyone on staff. That's not a requirement but does really help. Still, keep an eye on him. 

Michigan Panthers head coach Mike Nolan

At 65-years-old he would be the oldest candidate that we're going to list here. Age does bring some experience though. Nolan has 18 years of defensive coordinator experience. He was also the 49ers head coach for four seasons. Mixed in there he was with Dan Campbell on the Saints staff for three seasons. Now he works in the same building as Campbell as the Panthers head coach. 

Feels like the Lions would go younger, but I wouldn't rule Nolan being involved out at some point. He's a good defensive mind to have around. Maybe as a senior defensive assistant like John Fox or Dom Capers was. 

Former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus

Much like Allen, this guy may not have been meant to be a head coach in the NFL, but it can't be disputed that he is a solid defensive coordinator. One of the reasons I think the Bears hired him is because they saw what he was able to do with depth in Indianapolis. He had guys playing better than usual after injuries. Something Aaron Glenn just did in Detroit. 

There are no connections here, but Campbell has coached against the Bears' defense in recent years and if you paid any attention to Ben Johnson's presser or simply watched the games, then you know Eberflus had a good defense going for the Bears. He just cannot coach offense. 

Broncos linebacker coach Michael Wilhoite

Another guy that's part of the Sean Payton coaching tree. He spent two years in New Orleans with Dan Campbell. One year as a special teams assistant and one year as a defensive assistant. He followed Payton to Denver and now he's someone that is rising up the coaching ranks. Wilhoite took part in the annual coaching accelerator this year. Teams usually send guys they see a future in this event. He might be a few years away from nailing down a big DC job though. Still could get an interview. 

Carolina Panthers defensive line coach Todd Wash

You know this guy. Wash was the Lions defensive line coach in 2021 and 2022 before he asked to leave and join the Panthers coaching staff to be closer to his family. Two years makes a big difference. Perhaps he'd come back to take over the DC role. It wouldn't be his first time in that role either. He was the DC for the Jaguars during the Sacksonville days.

49ers Assistant head coach Brandon Staley

I've always looked at Staley as the defensive version of Ben Johnson. Just a guy who has an immense brain for devising schemes. He's just not a head coach. We'll see what happens to Johnson. As for Staley, it's only a matter of time before he is a defensive coordinator again. He does have some connections to Brad Holmes as they were in Los Angeles together. 

Brad Holmes makes the game plan clear for whoever the Lions’ next defensive coordinator is

The Detroit Lions defensive coordinator search is on and while it may seem simple that the Lions would just go with someone currently on the staff like Kelvin Sheppard, the team is opting to be thorough in their search and interview outside candidates.  There are some natural concerns when you bring in a candidate from […]