Detroit Lions Hire talented National Champion Coach for Offensive Staff

Roehl boasts a distinguished coaching career, having secured seven FCS National Championships during his tenure at North Dakota State, his alma mater. He held various roles with the Bison, including graduate assistant, running backs and tight ends coach, and offensive coordinator. Roehl spent a decade at North Dakota State (2014-2023) before making the move to Iowa State in 2024.

At Iowa State, Roehl helped the Cyclones to an 11-3 record in 2024, guiding them to the Big 12 Championship Game and a win over the Miami Hurricanes in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. His success continued as he became the second offensive coach from Iowa State’s staff under head coach Matt Campbell to transition to the NFL in the past two years, following Nate Scheelhaase’s move to the Los Angeles Rams.

Before joining Iowa State, Roehl’s work at North Dakota State was highly successful, particularly in 2023 when his offense led the FCS in rushing yards (3,560) and rushing touchdowns (47). Over his five seasons as the offensive coordinator, Roehl’s teams were consistently ranked among the top five nationally for rushing offense, and his players earned significant honors, including five FCS All-Americans.

Roehl’s playing career also stands out. He was an All-American running back at North Dakota State, amassing over 1,400 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in 2007. Although his professional football career was short-lived due to an ACL injury, Roehl quickly transitioned to coaching, starting as the running backs coach at Concordia College in Minnesota in 2010.

With Roehl now on board, the Lions are adding another highly accomplished coach to their revamped offensive staff, which also includes new offensive coordinator John Morton and passing game coordinator David Shaw. The team is gearing up for an exciting 2025 season under the guidance of Campbell and his experienced coaching team.