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The Detroit Lions are making another highly-praised hire to their coaching staff. According to NFL Network’s Steve Wyche, the Lions are hiring Rams cornerbacks coach Aubrey Pleasant to be the team’s next secondary coach and pass game coordinator.
Pleasant is a local, having grown up in Flint, and he even started his football coaching career as a defensive backs coach for Grand Blanc High School. From there, he spent a couple years at the University of Michigan, before breaking into the NFL in 2013.
In 2017, Pleasant followed Sean McVay from Washington to the Los Angeles Rams, where he spent the last four seasons as the team’s cornerbacks coach. When Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley landed a head coaching job this offseason, many believed Pleasant was in line to take that position, including Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Jalen Ramsey again speaking with such high praise for CBs coach Aubrey Pleasant, who he says could and should absolutely elevate into a potential DC role. Ramsey has had the best year of his career, he says much credit is owed to Pleasant’s coaching and guidance.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) January 17, 2021
The Rams, however, chose to hire former Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris.
Having an elite cornerback like Ramsey shower so much praise on Pleasant should get Lions fans excited about the potential development of their 2020 third overall pick Jeff Okudah, who already has a rapport with new defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, a former NFL cornerback himself.
Pleasant will join the Lions’ coaching staff that reportedly includes offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, running backs coach Duce Staley, offensive line coach Hank Fraley, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.