detroit lions vs. st. louis rams the season begins consistency up front ...

DANNY CROSSMAN
SPECIAL TEAMS
COORDINATOR
Year with Lions: 3
Years in NFL: 10
Danny Crossman came to Detroit a er working the previous seven
seasons (2003-09) with the Carolina Panthers, including the fi nal fi ve
seasons (2005-09) as special teams coordinator. He originally joined
the Panthers in 2003 as special teams assistant and he also assisted
with the team’s strength and conditioning program.
LIONS COACHING HIGHLIGHTS
S John Wendling leads the NFL with 41 special teams tackles
over the past two seasons (2010-11) and was tied for fourth in
the NFL with 17 last season.
K Jason Hanson had another strong year for Detroit in 2011,
fi nishing with 126 points which was the fourth best for a singleseason
in franchise history.
Hanson also had fi ve 50-yard fi eld goals (second-highest of his
career) and became the fi rst player in NFL history to kick 50 50yard
fi eld goals in his career.
In 2010, the Lions’ kick return unit was the third-most improved
unit in the League in kickoff return average with 3.5 more yards
per return than in 2009.
Detroit also had the NFL’s 10th-most signifi cant improvement
in punt return average in 2010: the Lions had an 8.8 punt return
average in 2009 and improved to an average of 12.1 yards per
return in 2010.
In average kickoff return yardage allowed, Detroit had the fourthmost
improved coverage unit, allowing an average of 2.7 less yards
per each kick return in 2010.
During Crossman’s tenure with the Panthers, the team’s kicking and
cover groups contributed signifi cantly to the team’s success during
his time in Carolina which included three playoff appearances (2003,
2005 and 2008), two NFC South titles (2003 and 2008).The Panthers
also fi nished with at least eight wins fi ve of those seven seasons.
In 2008, the Panthers ranked third in the NFL with an opponent
average drive start following kickoff s of 24.7. They were one of only
three teams that did not allow an opponent to start a drive following
kickoff s past the 50-yard-line. Carolina led the NFL in touchbacks (30)
and touchback percentage (33.7), and the team was ninth in the league
by allowing a 21.9 opponent kickoff return average.
In his fi rst season (2005) as special teams coach, Crossman’s group
ranked among the best in the League. That season, the Panthers
ranked ninth in the comprehensive Dallas Morning News special
teams ratings which was highlighted with rankings of second in punt
coverage and seventh in kickoff coverage.
Under Crossman’s tutelage, Panthers P Jason Baker set the
franchise record in net punting average in both 2005 (38.9) and 2006
(39.0). In both seasons, Baker’s net punting average ranked fi rst in
the NFC and third in NFL. From 2005-09, Baker ranked eighth in the
NFL with a combined net punting average of 38.0.
In 2003, Crossman’s fi rst year assisting the Carolina’s special teams,
the Panthers were second in the special teams ratings compiled by
the Dallas Morning News.
Crossman entered the pro ranks following 10 seasons as a college
coach where he worked with special teams in each season and also
coached multiple defensive positions. In 2002, Crossman served as the
linebackers and special teams coach at Michigan State.
From 1999-2001, Crossman was on the coaching staff at Georgia
Tech. All three seasons, he was the Yellow Jackets special teams
coordinator along with defensive ends coach (1999-2000) and
defensive backs coach (2001). In both 1999 and 2001, Georgia Tech
ranked high nationally in kickoff return average, net punting average
and punt return average. Georgia Tech led the ACC in kickoff return
average and punt return average during the 2000 season. Two of
Crossman’s specialists, K Luke Manget and KR Kelley Rhino, were
fi rst-team All-ACC in 2001.
Before arriving at Georgia Tech, Crossman was the defensive backs
and special teams coach at Central Florida for two seasons (1997-98).
Crossman served a three-year stint (1994-96) at Western Kentucky as
special teams and secondary coach (1994-95) and outside linebacker
and special teams coach (1996). He entered the coaching ranks in
EXECUTIVES & COACHING
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1993 as the defensive backs and special teams coach at the U.S.
Coast Guard Academy.
Crossman earned three letters at the University of Pittsburgh as the
team garnered a 22-12-1 record those three seasons and appearances
in 1987 Bluebonnet Bowl and 1989 Sun Bowl. He moved to strong
safety as a senior and was named team MVP. Crossman earned
second-team All-America honors as he recorded 62 tackles and one
interception. He originally began his college career at the University
of Kansas. As a freshman in 1985, Crossman made eight starts at
defensive back, posted 48 tackles, recorded one interception and
collected freshman All-America honors.
Following his college playing career, he spent time with the
Washington Redskins in 1990 and the Detroit Lions during training
camp in 1991. He played for the London Monarchs of the World League
of American Football in 1991-92. In the inaugural World Bowl in 1991,
he was named MVP in the 21-0 shutout of Barcelona. Crossman
intercepted three passes in the championship game and returned one
for a 20-yard touchdown.
Crossman earned a bachelor degree in business administration and
communications from Pittsburgh in 1990. He and his wife, Susan, have
a son, Kyle, and a daughter, Kaylie.
CROSSMAN’S BACKGROUND
Detroit Lions .................................................................. 2010-
Special Teams Coordinator ............................................................ 2010-
Carolina Panthers ........................................................2003-09
Special Teams Coordinator ........................................................2005-09
Special Teams Assistant ............................................................2003-04
Michigan State .................................................................2002
Linebackers/Special Teams .............................................................2002
Georgia Tech ...........................................................1999-2001
Defensive Backs/Special Teams .....................................................2001
Special Teams/Defensive Ends ............................................ 1999-2000
Central Florida ............................................................1997-98
Defensive Backs/Specials Teams .............................................1997-98
Western Kentucky .......................................................1994-96
Outside Linebackers/Special Teams ..............................................1996
Special Teams/Secondary ..........................................................1994-95
U.S. Coast Guard Academy................................................1993
Defensive Backs/Special Teams .....................................................1993