In the NFL, success is followed by a number of things. The first is copying, usually an offensive scheme or some defensive tactics. And another thing that’s sure to follow is that assistant coaches, who frequently go unnoticed, begin to get some well-deserved attention.
After several losing season – four straight duds from 2018 through 2021 --- the Detroit Lions had a revival in 2022. Lions fans and Michigan sportsbooks took notice as the team finished above .500 at 9-8 and did it on the strength of an offense that averaged 26.6 points per game.
This year proved that last season was no fluke. The Lions, now 11-5, have climbed to the top of the NFC North by once again averaging more than 26 points a game. ESPN Bet Michigan has Detroit at +1800 to win the Super Bowl.
Those results put Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson in the conversation for the AP Assistant Coach of the Year Award.
BetMichigan.com – your source for Michigan sports betting apps - considered the field of candidates for that honor.
AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year Odds
Lions’ OC Johnson Leads Pack
The Lions’ success puts Ben Johnson in the lead for the award with hypothetical odds of +250, or a chance of 28.6%.
Behind Johnson is Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken at 14.3% and +600. Then you have Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Cleveland DC Jim Schwartz. Quinn and Schwarts are assigned hypothetical odds of +900, or a chance of 10%.
The rest of the field for AP Assistant Coach of the Year, according to BetMichigan.com, features a three-way tie among Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas offensive coordinator; Mike Macdonald, the Ravens’ defensive coordinator, and Steve Wilks, San Francisco's defensive coordinator. They are given hypothetical odds of +1200, or chances of 7.7%. Then comes Kansas City DC Steve Spagnuolo (+1500) and Houston OC Bobby Slowik (+1750).
The category of “any other” has hypothetical odds of +4500 or a 2.2% chance. If you decide to take your chances on an NFL wager, be sure to be armed with Michigan sportsbook promos.