Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin, Detroit Lions – The Lions are not only a powerful, physical, and nasty defense this season, but they are playing smart football and they have eliminated many of the penalties that dogged them in the past.
Head coach Jim Caldwell deserves much of the credit for setting the tone, but Austin has fine-tuned and built the defense. He has gotten Ndamukong Suh to play disciplined football, and Nick Fairley was also on that path before his season came to an end due to injury. The Lions are first against the run and second in overall defense, and the job Austin has done with the defense should not be overlooked and he deserves a chance to be legitimately considered for a head coaching position.
