Detroit Lions Bolster Coaching Staff with Experienced Running Backs Coach Tashard Choice
The Detroit Lions have made a savvy addition to their coaching staff, tapping former NFL player Tashard Choice to lead their running backs room. Choice, who has an impressive track record of developing elite college talent, is poised to make an immediate impact on the Lions’ offense.
Choice’s Journey to the NFL and Coaching Career
A standout at Georgia Tech, Choice was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He enjoyed his most productive season as a rookie, rushing for 472 yards and two touchdowns. Choice went on to have brief stints with Washington, Buffalo, and Indianapolis before retiring from the NFL.
After his playing career, Choice transitioned into coaching, starting as a Dallas Cowboys intern in 2016. He then spent time as a graduate assistant and running backs coach at North Texas and Georgia Tech, his alma mater, before joining the Texas Longhorns in 2022.
Coaching Elite College Talent
During his coaching career, Choice has mentored several standout running backs. At North Texas, he coached Deandre Torrey, who burst onto the scene as a freshman with 977 rushing yards and 17 all-purpose touchdowns. At Georgia Tech, Choice worked with Jordan Mason, who went on to have a breakout year with the San Francisco 49ers in 2024.
Most recently, Choice spent two seasons as the running backs coach at Texas, where he oversaw a room featuring future NFL stars Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, and Jonathon Brooks. Under Choice’s guidance, Robinson rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his two seasons, including a dominant 1,580-yard campaign in 2022 that saw him become a top-six draft pick.
Bringing Expertise to Detroit
With his extensive experience developing elite college talent, Choice is poised to make an immediate impact on the Detroit Lions’ running game. The Lions’ offense, led by quarterback Jared Goff, will benefit greatly from Choice’s expertise in molding talented running backs into NFL-ready prospects.
