Who is new Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter?
The Detroit Lionsfired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn and assistant offensive line coach Terry Heffernan on Monday.
Stepping into the offensive coordinator job will be quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter, who is in his second year with the Lions. Here is some more information about the Lions’ newest offensive coordinator:
Playing career
Cooter played college ball at Tennessee, where he played in three games at quarterback across three seasons. From 2003–05, he was a member of the Academic All-SEC team.
Coaching career
Cooter has previously spent time as an assistant with the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts. With the Colts and Broncos, Cooter worked closely with quarterback Peyton Manning.
In Denver, Cooter worked day-to-day with Manning, helping to prepare scouting reports and gameplans during the season in which Manning set the single-season records for passing touchdowns and passing yards, according to ESPN.
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After one season with the Broncos, Cooter left for Detroit to work with Jim Caldwell. Cooter had previously worked for Caldwell in Indianapolis. Earlier this year, the Bears tried interviewing Cooter for their offensive coordinator position, but Detroit blocked the request.
Off-the-field issues
In 2006, Cooter was arrested for a DUI. He was arrested again in 2009 and charged with aggravated burglary after allegedly climbing into the window of a woman’s apartment, stripping down to his underwear and getting into her bed, according to WVLT in Knoxville.
The 1–6 Lions play the Chiefs in Week 8.
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