ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions are losing another member from behind the scenes. Mike Martin, who has been the team’s director of scouting advancement for four years, is leaving to become the new general manager for Notre Dame.
ESPN reports Martin is heading to South Bend to help head coach Marcus Freeman and Co. “bring an NFL model” to the program. Martin came to the Lions when head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes were hired in Detroit.
Martin served as a scout for the Carolina Panthers before joining Holmes and Campbell’s front office. He spent 11 seasons with the Houston Texans in a number of roles, including assistant director of college scouting, national scout and college scout.
He also was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for four seasons and started his career as an intern with the Tennessee Titans back in 20002. He was a defensive back at Vanderbilt for four years, so he brings playing experience to the job.
This offseason has marked the year of change for the coaching staff. The Lions lost their offensive and defensive coordinators, as well as a number of assistant coaches who followed Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn.
Last year, there were several departures from the front office. Lance Newmark, the team’s former senior director of player personnel, and Brandon Sosna, former senior director of football administration, left for the Washington Commanders. Dave Sears, the team’s director of college scouting, was hired by the Arizona Cardinals.
Martin is the first offseason departure of this offseason. Whenever Holmes would address the media around draft season, Martin’s name was always one of those he made sure to mention as being integral to the process.
“Martin was an integral part of constructing a 2023 roster that helped the Lions to a 12-5 record, tying the single-season franchise record for wins in a season,” the Lions write on their website.
