Randy Melvin | Defensive Line Coach

A veteran of nearly 40 years in the coaching fraternity, Randy is back for a third stint with the Lions as defensive line coach after last holding the position in 2018. He most recently served as defensive line coach with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 2019-23, helping the squad reach the Grey Cup in each of his first two seasons. In Randy’s first Lion stint in the Grey Cup championship 2011 season, he helped Aaron Hunt, Kalif Mitchell and Keron Williams earn CFL All-Star selections. From there, he moved south as defensive line coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2012-13 before moving on to coaching positions at Florida International (2014), University of Miami (2015) and Purdue (2016).

The Aurora, Illinois native was an All-American defensive lineman at Eastern Illinois (1979-80) and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 1995. His coaching career began at his alma mater in 1988 before he left for Wyoming from 1995-96 and a first stint at Purdue from 1997-99. Along the way, Randy was part of the NFL’s Minority Coaching Fellowship program and gained experience with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets. From there, Bill Belichick brought Randy with him to the New England Patriots ahead of the 2000 season where he served as defensive line coach and earned a Super Bowl ring when New England shut down the high-flying St. Louis Rams in the 36th edition of the big game in February 2002. Later that year, Randy began a three-year run as defensive line coach at Rutgers before a return to the NFL in Cleveland from 2005-08.