For the first time since he made a lateral career move, Duce Staley addressed the media. The new assistant head coach and RB coach of the Carolina Panthers explained why he left those same roles with the Detroit Lions last month.
Staley was with the Lions for both of Dan Campbell’s seasons as head coach in Detroit. He opted to join new head coach Frank Reich’s staff in Carolina, a move that raised some eyebrows both in Detroit and around the league.
During his introductory press conference in Charlotte this week, Staley shed more light on why the made the move.
“It feels good to be back close to home,” Staley said on Thursday. “Just growing up as a kid being in South Carolina during the time (of) ’95, ‘96 the Panthers got going there. As a kid you always dream about if you’re playing in the NFL; you want to play close to home. So the Panthers were definitely one of those teams that I thought about hopefully drafting me. Didn’t happen, but here I am now.”
Staley did confirm that moving back to the Carolinas and being closer to his mother, who is battling health issues, was a factor. So was reuniting with Reich, who he coached under in Philadelphia for two years.
“Being able to spend those years in Philadelphia with Frank Reich and win a Super Bowl, just to see him go out there and affect young men the way he did was awesome,” Staley stated. “I said to myself, I would love to have the opportunity to coach with him again.”
The Lions replaced Staley with Scottie Montgomery.
