Colletto new Lions offensive coordinator

The Detroit Lions promoted Jim Colletto to offensive coordinator, replacing Mike Martz. "Jim is an excellent football coach," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said Thursday in a statement. "He knows what it takes to win in this League and I am confident that he will do a tremendous job leading our offense.

"His appointment also allows us to maintain continuity in our offense, which is important to our players."

Colletto was Detroit's offensive line coach in 2007.

"I'm looking forward to playing in his offense," offensive tackle Jeff Backus wrote Thursday in a text message to The Associated Press.

Marinelli also promoted Kippy Brown to assistant head coach and passing game coordinator and Shawn Jefferson to wide receivers coach. Fred Reed, a defensive assistant the past two years, will not return next season.

Martz, who had one year left on his contract worth a reported $2 million, led Detroit's offense the past two seasons.

He was unable to replicate the success he had during the "Greatest Show on Turf" years as head coach in St. Louis, and as offensive coordinator in 2000, when the Rams won the Super Bowl.

Colletto has 41 years of coaching experience, including eight seasons as an NFL offensive line coach and as a head coach at Purdue and at Cal-State Fullerton.

"The running backs worked together with him closely in 9-on-7 drills," said Lions running back T.J. Duckett, a free agent who wants to return. "You could tell he's real in-tune with all the schemes, both running and passing."

Brown is entering his third season in Detroit and 16th in the NFL, including stints with Houston, Green Bay, Miami, Tampa Bay and the New York Jets.

Jefferson, a former standout receiver in the league, has been an assistant in Detroit the past three seasons.