Detroit Lions vs atLanta faLcons JOHNSON'S Mega-PURSUIT 2012 ...
Detroit Lions vs atLanta faLcons JOHNSON'S Mega-PURSUIT 2012 ...
Detroit Lions vs atLanta faLcons JOHNSON'S Mega-PURSUIT 2012 ...
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Danny crossman<br />
sPeciaL teams<br />
coorDinator<br />
Year with <strong>Lions</strong>: 3<br />
Years in NFL: 10<br />
danny crossman came to detroit after working the previous seven<br />
seasons (2003-09) with the carolina Panthers, including the final five<br />
seasons (2005-09) as special teams coordinator. he originally joined<br />
the Panthers in 2003 as special teams assistant and he also assisted<br />
with the team’s strength and conditioning program.<br />
LIONS COACHING HIGHLIGHTS<br />
¾ s John Wendling leads the nFL with 41 special teams tackles<br />
over the past two seasons (2010-11) and was tied for fourth in<br />
the nFL with 17 last season.<br />
¾ K Jason hanson had another strong year for detroit in 2011,<br />
finishing with 126 points which was the fourth best for a singleseason<br />
in franchise history.<br />
¾ hanson also had five 50-yard field goals (second-highest of his<br />
career) and became the first player in nFL history to kick 50 50yard<br />
field goals in his career.<br />
¾ in 2010, the <strong>Lions</strong>’ kick return unit was the third-most improved<br />
unit in the League in kickoff return average with 3.5 more yards<br />
per return than in 2009.<br />
¾ detroit also had the nFL’s 10th-most significant improvement<br />
in punt return average in 2010: the <strong>Lions</strong> had an 8.8 punt return<br />
average in 2009 and improved to an average of 12.1 yards per<br />
return in 2010.<br />
¾ in average kickoff return yardage allowed, detroit had the fourthmost<br />
improved coverage unit, allowing an average of 2.7 less yards<br />
per each kick return in 2010.<br />
during crossman’s tenure with the Panthers, the team’s kicking and<br />
cover groups contributed significantly to the team’s success during<br />
his time in carolina which included three playoff appearances (2003,<br />
2005 and 2008), two nFc south titles (2003 and 2008).the Panthers<br />
also finished with at least eight wins five of those seven seasons.<br />
in 2008, the Panthers ranked third in the nFL with an opponent<br />
average drive start following kickoffs of 24.7. they were one of only<br />
three teams that did not allow an opponent to start a drive following<br />
kickoffs past the 50-yard-line. carolina led the nFL in touchbacks (30)<br />
and touchback percentage (33.7), and the team was ninth in the league<br />
by allowing a 21.9 opponent kickoff return average.<br />
in his first season (2005) as special teams coach, crossman’s group<br />
ranked among the best in the League. that season, the Panthers<br />
ranked ninth in the comprehensive dallas Morning news special<br />
teams ratings which was highlighted with rankings of second in punt<br />
coverage and seventh in kickoff coverage.<br />
under crossman’s tutelage, Panthers P Jason Baker set the<br />
franchise record in net punting average in both 2005 (38.9) and 2006<br />
(39.0). in both seasons, Baker’s net punting average ranked first in<br />
the nFc and third in nFL. From 2005-09, Baker ranked eighth in the<br />
nFL with a combined net punting average of 38.0.<br />
in 2003, crossman’s first year assisting the carolina’s special teams,<br />
the Panthers were second in the special teams ratings compiled by<br />
the dallas Morning news.<br />
crossman entered the pro ranks following 10 seasons as a college<br />
coach where he worked with special teams in each season and also<br />
coached multiple defensive positions. in 2002, crossman served as the<br />
linebackers and special teams coach at Michigan state.<br />
From 1999-2001, crossman was on the coaching staff at georgia<br />
tech. all three seasons, he was the Yellow Jackets special teams<br />
coordinator along with defensive ends coach (1999-2000) and<br />
defensive backs coach (2001). in both 1999 and 2001, georgia tech<br />
ranked high nationally in kickoff return average, net punting average<br />
and punt return average. georgia tech led the acc in kickoff return<br />
average and punt return average during the 2000 season. two of<br />
crossman’s specialists, K Luke Manget and KR Kelley Rhino, were<br />
first-team all-acc in 2001.<br />
Before arriving at georgia tech, crossman was the defensive backs<br />
and special teams coach at central Florida for two seasons (1997-98).<br />
crossman served a three-year stint (1994-96) at Western Kentucky as<br />
special teams and secondary coach (1994-95) and outside linebacker<br />
and special teams coach (1996). he entered the coaching ranks in<br />
executives & coaching<br />
<strong>Detroit</strong>lions.com<br />
Media.<strong>Detroit</strong>lions.com<br />
1993 as the defensive backs and special teams coach at the u.s.<br />
coast guard academy.<br />
crossman earned three letters at the university of Pittsburgh as the<br />
team garnered a 22-12-1 record those three seasons and appearances<br />
in 1987 Bluebonnet Bowl and 1989 sun Bowl. he moved to strong<br />
safety as a senior and was named team MvP. crossman earned<br />
second-team all-america honors as he recorded 62 tackles and one<br />
interception. he originally began his college career at the university<br />
of Kansas. as a freshman in 1985, crossman made eight starts at<br />
defensive back, posted 48 tackles, recorded one interception and<br />
collected freshman all-america honors.<br />
Following his college playing career, he spent time with the<br />
Washington Redskins in 1990 and the detroit <strong>Lions</strong> during training<br />
camp in 1991. he played for the London Monarchs of the World League<br />
of american Football in 1991-92. in the inaugural World Bowl in 1991,<br />
he was named MvP in the 21-0 shutout of Barcelona. crossman<br />
intercepted three passes in the championship game and returned one<br />
for a 20-yard touchdown.<br />
crossman earned a bachelor degree in business administration and<br />
communications from Pittsburgh in 1990. he and his wife, susan, have<br />
a son, Kyle, and a daughter, Kaylie.<br />
CROSSMAN’S BACKGROUND<br />
<strong>Detroit</strong> <strong>Lions</strong> .................................................................. 2010special<br />
teams coordinator ............................................................ 2010-<br />
Carolina Panthers ........................................................2003-09<br />
special teams coordinator ........................................................2005-09<br />
special teams assistant ............................................................2003-04<br />
Michigan State .................................................................2002<br />
Linebackers/special teams .............................................................2002<br />
Georgia Tech ...........................................................1999-2001<br />
defensive Backs/special teams .....................................................2001<br />
special teams/defensive Ends ............................................ 1999-2000<br />
Central Florida ............................................................1997-98<br />
defensive Backs/specials teams .............................................1997-98<br />
Western Kentucky .......................................................1994-96<br />
outside Linebackers/special teams ..............................................1996<br />
special teams/secondary ..........................................................1994-95<br />
U.S. Coast Guard Academy................................................1993<br />
defensive Backs/special teams .....................................................1993