John Fox enters his 31st NFL season, and first in Detroit, as the Lions' senior defensive assistant in 2023.
Fox had a storied 16-year career as an NFL head coach, serving in that capacity for the Chicago Bears (2015-17), Denver Broncos (2011-14) and Carolina Panthers (2002-10). As a head coach, he compiled a 133-123 regular season record, an 8-7 postseason record and earned seven playoff berths, which included capturing the 2013 AFC Championship with the Broncos and the 2003 NFC Championship with the Panthers. He led the Broncos to a division title in each of his four seasons, joining Chuck Knox (Rams; 1973-76) as the only coaches in NFL history to lead their teams to four division championships in each of their first four seasons with a franchise.
Fox is also one-of-seven coaches in NFL history to take two different teams to a Super Bowl, joining Don Shula, Bill Parcells, Dan Reeves, Dick Vermeil, Mike Holmgren and Andy Reid. He joins Parcells, Reeves and Reid as the only coaches to lead a team from both conferences to a Super Bowl appearance.
Prior to becoming an NFL head coach, Fox spent five seasons as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator (1997-2001), helping the Giants rank third in the NFL in sacks (230) and capture an NFC Championship (2000) in that span. He spent three seasons (1999-2001) alongside Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell with the Giants, which were Campbell's first three years as an NFL player.
Fox's other NFL stints include serving as a St. Louis Rams consultant (1996), the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders' defensive coordinator (1994-95), the San Diego Chargers' secondary coach (1992-93) and the Pittsburgh Steelers' secondary coach (1989-91).
Fox has also served in a variety of college jobs, working as Pitt's defensive coordinator/secondary coach (1986-88), Iowa State's secondary coach (1984), Kansas' secondary coach (1983), Utah's secondary coach (1982), Long Beach State's secondary coach (1981), Boise State's secondary coach (1980), U.S. International's defensive backs coach and as a graduate assistant at San Diego State in 1978. In 1985, he served as the secondary coach of the Los Angeles Express of the USFL.
A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Fox and his wife, Robin, have three sons, Matthew, Mark and Cody, and a daughter, Halle.
