The list of past New England Patriots on head coach Matt Patricia’s Detroit Lions staff will lengthen in 2020.
The Lions announced the additions of Tyrone McKenzie, Tony Carter and Ty Warren on Monday.
McKenzie, whose hire as linebackers coach was reported this winter, spent the past two seasons working with inside linebackers for Mike Vrabel’s Tennessee Titans. The South Florida product was selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 2009 draft, with Patricia as his position coach.
Carter, who logged 2010 between New England’s practice squad and 53-man roster, will serve as a defensive assistant for the Lions. The former Florida State cornerback and eight-year NFL veteran spent this past season as Jacksonville University’s corners coach.
And Warren formally joins the Lions’ ranks as part of the William Clay Ford Minority Coaching Assistantship program after assisting in a volunteer capacity. The Texas A&M alum entered the league at pick No. 13 overall in 2003 and won a pair of Super Bowls on the Patriots’ defensive line. Warren earned first-team All-Pro recognition during his tenure, along with the Ron Burton Community Service Award, and is a member of the franchise’s All-2000s team.
Among the Lions’ additional coaching moves, ex-safety Steve Gregory has been promoted to defensive backs coach after holding the title of defensive assistant for the past two campaigns.
Ex-guard Billy Yates and ex-running back Leon Washington also reside on the Detroit staff, with Yates joining as assistant offensive line coach in January and Washington returning as a WCF offensive assistant.