The Lions added more experience to their staff Sunday with the hiring of Randy Edsall as the new director of football research-special projects.
The football research department assists in all aspects of game preparation, and also provides information to the coaching, personnel and football administration departments to help improve the team's decisions in the draft, free agency and on gameday.
Edsall comes to Detroit following a four-year tenure as the head coach at Maryland. Under Edsall, the Terrapins saw back-to-back winning seasons in 2013 (7-6) and 2014 (7-6) for the first time since 2002-03.
He was relieved of his duties midway through this past season after the Terrapins started 2-4.
Edsall began his coaching career at his alma mater Syracuse, where he held a number of roles including graduate assistant (1980-82), running backs coach (1983-84, 1986), tight ends coach (1985), recruiting coordinator/defensive backs (1989-90) and defensive backs coach (1991-93).
He's twice been a head coach in the college ranks, beginning with a 12-year tenure at Connecticut (1999-2010) and concluding with his four years at Maryland.
Lions general manager Bob Quinn was a graduate assistant in the Connecticut athletic department when Edsall was the head coach for the Huskies in 1999.
Edsall also brings four seasons of NFL coaching experience to Detroit after serving as the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive backs coach from 1994-97.
