Tashard Choice enters his second season as the Lions' running backs coach in 2026.

In 2025, Choice helped Lions running backs combine to lead all NFL running back rooms in scrimmage touchdowns (26) and rushing touchdowns (21) while ranking second in scrimmage yards (2,766) and fifth in rushing yards (1,958). The group was led by RB Jahmyr Gibbs, who earned his third-straight Pro Bowl berth after rushing 243 times for 1,223 yards (5.03 avg.) and 13 touchdowns while adding 77 receptions for 616 yards (8.0 avg.) and five touchdowns to combine for 1,839 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns. Among all NFL running backs in 2025, Gibbs ranked second in scrimmage touchdowns, third in receptions, third in receiving yards, tied-for-third in rushing touchdowns, fifth in scrimmage yards, seventh in rushing yards and eighth in rushing average.

Tashard Choice enters his second season as the Lions' running backs coach in 2026.

In 2025, Choice helped Lions running backs combine to lead all NFL running back rooms in scrimmage touchdowns (26) and rushing touchdowns (21) while ranking second in scrimmage yards (2,766) and fifth in rushing yards (1,958). The group was led by RB Jahmyr Gibbs, who earned his third-straight Pro Bowl berth after rushing 243 times for 1,223 yards (5.03 avg.) and 13 touchdowns while adding 77 receptions for 616 yards (8.0 avg.) and five touchdowns to combine for 1,839 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns. Among all NFL running backs in 2025, Gibbs ranked second in scrimmage touchdowns, third in receptions, third in receiving yards, tied-for-third in rushing touchdowns, fifth in scrimmage yards, seventh in rushing yards and eighth in rushing average.

Under Choice's tutelage, Gibbs set several NFL records in 2025. Gibbs reached 49-career touchdowns by the end of the season, the most touchdowns any NFL player has ever scored through three-career seasons and the most touchdowns any NFL player has scored before turning 24. Gibbs tied an NFL record with Randy Moss and Barry Sanders for the most games with a touchdown scored (31) through threecareer seasons, and he also became only the eighth player in NFL history to produce 1,800 scrimmage yards and 18 scrimmage touchdowns in consecutive seasons.

Before joining Detroit, Choice spent three seasons (2022-24) at the University of Texas, helping three different running backs rush for at least 1,000 yards during his tenure (Tre Wisner – 1,064 yards in 2024; Jonathon Brooks – 1,139 yards in 2023, Bijan Robinson – 1,580 yards in 2022). Wisner was named ThirdTeam All-SEC in 2024, Brooks was named Second-Team All-Big 12 in 2023 and Robinson was named a unanimous All-American while winning the Doak Walker Award as the NCAA's top running back in 2022. Under Choice's tutelage, five different Texas running backs were selected over three NFL Drafts (Jaydon Blue in 2025; Brooks and Keilan Robinson in 2024; Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson in 2023).

Prior to joining Texas, Choice spent three seasons (2019-21) coaching running backs at his alma matter – Georgia Tech. During his time with the Yellow Jackets, he coached Gibbs to Freshman All-American honors in 2020 and to two All-ACC teams (2020, 2021) while helping Jordan Mason earn All-ACC honors in 2019.

Choice's first stint as a college coach came at North Texas, serving as the running backs coach in 2018 after beginning his tenure as a graduate assistant in 2017. He helped Jeff Wilson rush for 1,215 yards and 16 touchdowns during his first season as a coach, propelling Wilson to an NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins. Choice's first coaching position came as a coaching intern with the 50 Dallas Cowboys in 2016.

Before embarking on his coaching career, Choice had a six-year NFL playing career with the Cowboys, Commanders, Bills and Colts. Originally selected by the Cowboys in the fourth round (122nd overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Georgia Tech, Choice appeared in 88-career games (four starts) and rushed 372 times for 1,579 yards (4.2 avg.) and 10 touchdowns while also adding 81 receptions for 574 yards (7.1 avg.).

Choice is married to his wife, Rebecca, and they have two daughters, Nyla Rose and Amya Lee.