:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58758831/454310210.jpg.0.jpg)
The Detroit Lions added yet another coach to their staff on Tuesday afternoon. The team announced that Brian Picucci will be their next offensive assistant coach/quality control.
Lions have hired Brian Picucci as an offensive assistant coach/quality control
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) February 20, 2018
For much of the offseason, Lions fans were clamoring for the addition of a running game coordinator to fix Detroit’s huge problem in the running game. While Picucci won’t hold that title in Detroit, that’s exactly where his background lies. From 2000 to 2008, Picucci held the position of run game coordinator/offensive line coach for Amherst and Umass. He held the exact same position in Maine last season, too.
Picucci is a 20+ year veteran of coaching, but this will be his first go-around in the NFL. He has previously worked with Becker College, Widener university, Central Connecticut State, UMass and Northeastern, among other. His roles have been as varied as offensive coordinator (2009-12 at Amherst), interim head coach (2013, Central Connecticut), and defensive line coach (1999, UMass).
Here’s a comprehensive look at his coaching history:
1994: Southern Connecticut State - TE coach
1995-97: Bristol Central High School - Offensive coordinator
1998: UMass - Offensive line assistant
1999: UMass - Interior defensive line coach
2000-03: Northeastern - Run game coordinator/offensive line coach
2004-08: UMass - Run game coordinator/offensive line coach
2009-12: UMass - Offensive coordinator
2013: Central Connecticut State - Interim head coach
2014: Widener University - Offensive coordinator/offensive line coach
2015: Becker College - Offensive coordinator
2016: Maine - Running backs coach
2017: Maine - Offensive coordinator/offensive line coach
Picucci doesn’t have any direct coaching connections with Matt Patricia or any other coaches on the Lions’ staff, but he did play fullback and tight end at Syracuse back in the late 80s/early 90s, and he had some familiar company:
Matt Patricia added another coach with Syracuse ties to his staff in Detroit. Brian Picucci is the new offensive quality control coach. Long I-AA coaching career with emphasis on run game. Played FB in same Syracuse backfield as Lions RB coach David Walker.
— John Niyo (@JohnNiyo) February 20, 2018
It’s unclear if Picucci will be heavily involved in the running game, but considering his experience, he’ll certainly be able to provide some expertise to that aspect of Detroit’s coaching staff.