Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is adding a new offensive assistant to his staff from the college ranks. Iowa State assistant head coach and running backs coach Tyler Roehl will join the Lions as an offensive assistant, according to a February 11, 2025, report by CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
Roehl, who has a strong national championship background, coached at North Dakota State for nearly a decade. During his time there, he served as a graduate assistant, running backs and tight ends coach, and offensive coordinator. He joined Iowa State’s staff in 2024 after coaching at North Dakota State from 2014 to 2023.
Tyler Roehl will work under new offensive coordinator John Morton, who was hired from the Denver Broncos to replace Ben Johnson. Johnson departed to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears. Morton previously served as the Broncos’ passing game coordinator for one year, after working as a senior offensive assistant with the Lions in 2022.
The Lions have also made other additions, including David Shaw, former Stanford head coach, as their passing game coordinator, and ex-NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski as an offensive assistant. Gradkowski spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL/UFL.
In 2024, the Cyclones finished 11-3, reaching the Big 12 championship game and later defeating Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Roehl becomes the second coach from Matt Campbell’s Iowa State staff to join the NFL in the past two years. Nate Scheelhaase joined the Los Angeles Rams as passing game coordinator after the 2023 season.
At North Dakota State in 2023, Roehl’s offense ranked third in FCS, averaging 38.1 points per game. The Bison led the nation in rushing yards (3,560), rushing touchdowns (47), and total touchdowns (74). In his five years as offensive coordinator, Roehl’s offense ranked in the top five nationally in rushing four times and led the nation in rushing touchdowns for three consecutive seasons. He coached five FCS All-Americans and 11 players who earned 15 combined all-conference honors.
A native of West Fargo, North Dakota, Roehl was an All-American running back at North Dakota State. He played for the Bison from 2004 to 2008, rushing for 1,431 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2007, followed by 1,053 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2008.
Roehl signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2009 but tore his ACL during offseason workouts, according to InForum. He later attended a rookie camp with the Minnesota Vikings, but his playing career ended shortly afterward.
He began coaching in 2010 as the running backs coach at Concordia College in Minnesota. Roehl spent one season as an offensive graduate assistant at North Dakota State and coached high school football for two years in Moorhead, Minnesota. In 2014, he returned to North Dakota State as the tight ends and fullbacks coach.
