This offseason, the Detroit Lions’ teaching workers was picked aside by different groups, however one important coach opted to stick with the workforce regardless of alternatives elsewhere.
Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley interviewed a number of occasions for the Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator job, however finally returned to Detroit—and received a pleasant little promotion alongside the way in which by including run recreation coordinator to his title. That stated, Fraley stated the chance in Seattle was a superb studying expertise.
“I feel every part you do in life, you’re all the time studying from one thing and attempting to get higher at it,” Fraley stated final week. “It was an important alternative to at the least have a look at and study from. You by no means need to take issues without any consideration. I simply need to be the most effective O-line coach I might be, to be trustworthy. To be the most effective coach, it’s like being the most effective dad, the most effective husband. It was an honor for anyone to name and attain out, and it was an important expertise.”
It’s unclear if Fraley was ever provided the job, however he made one factor extraordinarily clear: returning to Detroit was no comfort prize for the 13-year teaching veteran.
“I’m very glad I’m again right here as a result of that is the place I needed to be with my household. We’ve received stuff particular right here, I’ve received a particular room,” Fraley stated.
The significance of Fraley to Detroit’s offensive line can’t be overstated. Not solely has Detroit’s offensive line been their largest energy throughout their franchise turnaround, however when the subject of Fraley doubtlessly taking a job elsewhere got here up, Lions All-Professional offensive linemen Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow each joked that they depend on Fraley a lot that they might sabotage his efforts to depart.
“I haven’t performed on this league with out Hank and I don’t plan on doing it. I’ll sabotage him, I’ll leak tales, no matter it takes,” Ragnow joked.
“He’s simply been a type of pillars for me on this group,” Sewell stated. “After I first got here in, I fell in love with him, and we’ve received a historical past, too. He was recruiting me in highschool when he was at UCLA. So, lotta historical past between us, and our relationship has grown. He’s like coach (Dan) Campbell by way of a determine in my eyes. So, he’s not going nowhere.”
For Fraley, leaving Detroit would have been a tricky resolution. He’s been in Detroit for seven years now. He’s raised 4 youngsters who name Detroit residence. And there’s additionally one thing particular to him about strolling by these doorways on the Lions’ Allen Park facility day-after-day.
“Household is an enormous a part of it, however actually, the (offensive line) room,” Fraley stated. “Coach Campbell is an enormous a part of it. Household, we’ve been right here occurring eight years. For me, personally, you guys in all probability know much more than that, however my youngsters, earlier than right here, the longest they ever lived (in a single place) was 4 years. Michigan, I’d say, is residence for them. Regardless that they’ll go wherever. We’ve lived everywhere in the nation. However residence proper now, for my spouse and I, is right here in Michigan.”
