ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions are saying goodbye to yet another staff member from behind the scenes. Mike Martin, the team’s director of scouting advancement for the past four years, is departing to take on the role of new general manager at Notre Dame.
ESPN states that Martin is going to South Bend to assist head coach Marcus Freeman and his team in “implementing an NFL model” into the program. Martin joined the Lions when Dan Campbell was appointed as head coach and Brad Holmes as general manager in Detroit.
Martin worked as a scout for the Carolina Panthers prior to joining the front office of Holmes and Campbell. He dedicated 11 seasons to the Houston Texans in various positions, such as assistant director of college scouting, national scout, and college scout.
He spent four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and began his career as an intern with the Tennessee Titans in 2002. He played as a defensive back at Vanderbilt for four years, thus he brings playing experience to the role.
This offseason has signified a year of transition for the coaching team. The Lions parted ways with their offensive and defensive coordinators, along with several assistant coaches who accompanied Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn.
Last year, multiple personnel left the front office. Lance Newmark, the team’s ex-senior director of player personnel, and Brandon Sosna, former senior director of football administration, moved to the Washington Commanders. Dave Sears, who is the team’s director of college scouting, has been employed by the Arizona Cardinals.
Martin is the initial player to leave during this offseason. Each time Holmes spoke to the media during draft season, he consistently highlighted Martin’s name as crucial to the process.
“Martin played a crucial role in building the 2023 team that led the Lions to a 12-5 record, equaling the franchise’s single-season record for victories,” the Lions state on their website.