Jett Modkins joined the Lions as the assistant special teams coach in 2021 after spending the 2020 season with the Denver Broncos as the team's diversity coaching intern, assisting with the offense.
Working with Lions Special Teams Coordinator Dave Fipp, Modkins has helped the unit have success in multiple areas. From 2021-22, Detroit was six-of-seven (85.7%) on fake punt attempts. In 2022, the Lions led the NFL with the highest percentage of kickoff returns going for 20-or-more yards (85.3%) and were third in kickoff return average (26.1). He also helped WR Kalif Raymond rank second in punt return average in 2022 (13.2; 10 return minimum) en route to Second-Team AP All-Pro honors.
In 2021, the Lions led the NFL in onside kick recoveries, going three-of-nine (33.33%) on their attemps. Their onside kick conversion percentage marked the most successful rate the team has had in a season since at least 1997, when the data began to be tracked.
Prior to his stint with the Broncos, Modkins spent the 2019 season as a defensive volunteer coach with Akron University.
Modkins, a native of Chandler, Ariz., played collegiate football at Glendale (Ari.) Community College and also attended Mesa (Ariz.) Community College. He is the son of Vikings running backs coach, Curtis Modkins.
