The Detroit Lions have successfully reached a new contractual agreement with safeties coach Jim O’Neil, securing his return to Allen Park for another season.
O’Neil had previously interviewed for the New York Jets’ defensive coordinator position, as Jets head coach Aaron Glenn was exploring candidates for the vacancy after parting ways with Steve Wilks earlier in the offseason. Glenn was, of course, the Lions’ defensive coordinator from 2021-24, and O’Neil worked directly under Glenn during the 2024 season. Additionally, O’Neill got his start in the NFL with the Jets organization, acting as their defensive quality control coach in 2009 and assistant defensive backs coach from 2010-12.
Retaining O’Neil is a big win for the Lions. Not only does he have NFL experience as a defensive coordinator (Browns 2014-15 and 49ers 2016), but he has done tremendous work with the Lions’ secondary over the previous two seasons. In 2024, O’Neil coached Kerby Joseph to an All-Pro season and Brian Branch to a Pro Bowl season, but maybe even more impressive is the work he did in 2025 when the Lions suffered injury after injury amongst their safeties.
After losing Joseph and Branch (and rookie Dan Jackson in training camp), O’Neil helped develop Thomas Harper (a cutdown waiver claim) into a reliable starter, put Erick Hallett in a position to be recognized enough to have the Titans claim him for their active roster, and prepared veterans Avonte Maddox and Daniel Thomas for late-season starting roles (where both put up career PFF grades).
In all, O’Neil coached and/or developed eight (!) different players for starting safety roles in 2025, with many playing some of the best football they’ve played in their careers.
With injury concerns surrounding Joseph, Branch’s road to recovery still being determined, and the importance of the Lions’ safeties in their scheme, O’Neil’s return could end up being a massive component for the Lions’ defensive success in 2026.
Make sure to check out our 2026 Detroit Lions coaches tracker for all the latest news and rumors on the team’s coaching staff.
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