ALLEN PARK — Before Tyler Roehl returns to Iowa State University as their new offensive coordinator, finishing his lone season with the Detroit Lions was his top priority.
As the Lions prepare for their regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears, Roehl spoke to reporters Wednesday in his final scheduled media session as the Lions’ tight end coach, sharing his thoughts on his time in Detroit and the opportunity ahead.
“I’ve loved my time here. Thankful to Coach Campbell, the entire organization, for bringing me in, accepting me, welcoming me, and helping me grow in the profession,” Roehl said. “And then college football, the profession, the job search, it can be pretty crazy in the months of November and December. And when all that was going down, you start fielding some phone calls. But my main focus has always been here. That’s why I’ve stayed here.
“I’m not one to come and say, ‘Hey, you got a little adversity in the tight end room. Hey, maybe you don’t wanting as many to leave and go to another …” No, that ain’t me. Job’s not finished here. We still have one more. And thankful to Coach Campbell. And through our conversations, the intent was always to stay through the duration of the season, however long that goes. But you take some phone calls, and things start to happen a little bit faster, and have great, constructive conversations with people you love and trust.”
Roehl’s move to Iowa State marks a return to familiar territory. Before joining Campbell’s staff in February to replace Steve Heiden, Roehl was Iowa State’s assistant head coach and running backs coach for one season.
Before that, he was the offensive coordinator, running backs coach, tight ends coach, and fullbacks coach for several seasons at North Dakota State University.
When explaining his decision to leave the Lions after one season, Roehl was direct about the opportunity aligning with his career goals.
“This is one that was very special to me. I want to call plays,” Roehl said. “That’s my goal. I did it for a long time at North Dakota State. And this one with Coach Jimmy Rogers in Ames, Iowa, a place that I’m familiar with, a place that my family loved, we admired. And when everything started kind of coming full circle, everything started aligning, and I just trusted my gut, talked with my family, my wife, my kids.
“Not a lot of people see the background of these moves and whatnot. And it meant a lot to me for their support and their desire to be back in Ames. And we’re fired up. We’re fired up. But the task at hand is to go in on Sunday (against Chicago).”
Roehl credited his year on Campbell’s staff for enhancing his knowledge of the pro system, which he learned during his time at North Dakota State.
Learning more about tight end play from Campbell, the offensive line under coach Hank Fraley, and other positions from the Lions’ staff, the crash course in Detroit has helped shape Roehl as a coach.
Roehl could have left the Lions to return to Ames and start his new role immediately. But he said conversations with Campbell and his own perspective are why he will report to his new position only after the Lions’ season ends.
“I’m not a quitter. I always say, ‘quit once, you quit forever,’ And I just wanted to see it through,” Roehl said. “Dan wanted to keep me here for the year, and we’re definitely in alignment on that. And (quitting) is not what I’m about, and I wanted to see it through.”