Don Muhlbach has worn dozens of hats for the Detroit Lions since he joined the team as a special assistant to football operations after his retirement in 2021. Now, he has another one.
Muhlbach will serve in a game management role for the Lions this fall, helping coach Dan Campbell with replay reviews and advising Campbell on rules interpretations and other gameday trends.
“It just felt like this was going to be the right fit and he’s got a pretty good grasp, pretty good feel of what I want,” Campbell said. “And I also know he’s got conviction about him when he sees something or believes something. He’s not going to waver in what it is or isn’t. So all of those traits I think are really good about him.”
Muhlbach, who played 17 seasons at long snapper for the Lions, has helped the team’s front office, coaching staff and business office in various capacities since he joined the team in an administrative role shortly after he was released in 2021.
Muhlbach helps special teams coordinator Dave Fipp and assistant special teams coach Jett Modkins coach special teams and assists general manager Brad Holmes with scouting duties in the offseason.
In his new gameday role, he takes the place of Jon Dykema, who left the Lions after to join Michigan State and now serves as the senior director of football strategy for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“Any task that you give Muhl, whether he was a player or even behind the scenes with us, he does a ton and has done a ton since he was hired here helping on special teams,” Campbell said. “And he does an unbelievable job, man. So he helps Fipp, he helps Jett, he’s always helped me with a few things and he’s a grinder.
“I mean, he just – there’s nothing – there’ll be no stone that will be left unturned and so it just felt natural, like this guy is going to eat this stuff up.”
Muhlbach handled game management duties in preseason games this summer as a dry run for the regular season, which starts Sunday when the Lions play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
“The preseason helps a lot and just kind of working through the kinks of that,” Campbell said. “And for him really to know what for me is (worth bringing) up to me, or what do I care about, or is it a 50-50? If it is, I don’t want to hear about it cause whatever the call is will stand and, well, what is a 50-50 call in my eyes.
“So it’s little things like that, exactly what I’m looking for. What am I looking for before the game? What am I looking for during the game? And then him just getting on top of the rules a little bit, but I can help him with all that stuff, so he’s doing an unbelievable job. He’s going to be great.”
Big expectations for Arnold
Terrion Arnold got off to a slow start as a rookie, committing eight penalties in the Lions’ first four games. He finished the season with a 93.7 passer rating against, according to Pro Football Reference, and did not have an interception.
Arnold was one of the Lions’ most improved players this summer, and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said he’s looking for big things for the cornerback in Year 2.
“He’s always had the physical gifts and tools, but it’s the mental standpoint,” Sheppard said. “Him doing the extra meetings with (secondary coach) Deshea (Townsend) and myself, wanting to understand the game of football, not just play it.
“Those are two different things. And being able to play with anticipation. When you’re out there on those islands, your talent can only take you so far because the guy you’re matched up against is just as talented as you.”
Despite his early struggles as a rookie, Arnold finished with the highest percent of tight-window throws forced (27.9%) among Lions defenders with more than 25 targets last season.
Sheppard said he’s seen growth from Arnold in his ability to play with anticipation and his understanding of how receivers are trying to attack him on the field.
“Deshea has done an unbelievable job with that player, just kind of finding that fine line because he does have this kind of kid personality,” Sheppard said. “And kind of understanding how to wire his mind and when you’re out there, look man, you’ve got to lock in here.
“We understand you’re going to talk trash, you’re going to joke around, but there’s a time and place for it and knowing when to lock in. And I’ve seen that from him in these past six months.”
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-long snapper Don Muhlbach handling Detroit Lions game management
Reporting by Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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