When Frank Ragnow and Penei Sewell stand in your path, you typically aren't going anywhere.
Despite drawing interest from the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears for their offensive coordinator vacancies, offensive line coach Hank Fraley is staying with the Detroit Lions. The news, which has been verified, was broken by Fraley's wife, Danielle, who shared an update on her Facebook page.
"Did you guys really think we would leave for Chicago?!," Danielle wrote. "Our hearts are in Detroit!"
A 10-year NFL veteran who started 123 games, Fraley joined the Lions coaching staff in 2018 as an assistant offensive line coach. He took over the room in 2020 following Jeff Davidson's retirement.
Under Fraley's guidance, the Lions' offensive line has morphed into one of the league's best. His players love him, so much so that left tackle Taylor Decker openly advocated for Fraley's retention when the Lions hired Dan Campbell as coach in 2021.
"One thing I flat out asked for was to give Hank an opportunity to interview for the job," Decker said. "Don't just clean house, because I think he does a really great job. I think he has a really great understanding of the game. Studies the hell out of everything and all the defenses. And I think his approach with delivering information and new techniques is fantastic because he played the game for 11 years. He's good for the room — a lot of young guys in the room — and I think he's done a really good job."
Fraley's support remained equally strong at the end of this season. When Ragnow was asked about the respected assistant potentially taking an offensive coordinator job elsewhere this offseason, the All-Pro center firmly rejected the idea with a dash of humor.
"No, you refuse to let Hank leave," Ragnow said. "I haven't played in this league without Hank, and I don't plan on doing it. I'll sabotage him, I'll leak stories, whatever it takes.
"I don't think I could play in this league without the guy," Ragnow said. "He's everything to me. He's been there since Day 1. In this league, there are a lot of coaches, but there are not many coaches like him that empower his players."
Sewell echoed the comments moments later.
"He's not going (anywhere) at the end of the day," Sewell said. "He's just been one of those pillars for me in this organization. When I first came in, I fell in love with him."
According to the NFL Network, Fraley will add the title of run game coordinator in 2025.
Not writing separate stories, but ESPN is reporting Randel El is going to Chicago to be Ben Johnson's assistant head coach/WR coach. And assistant QB coach J.T. Barrett has updated his Instagram announcing he'll be the Bears QB coach.
If Hank is the run game coordinator and Tanner is the passing game coordinator, I think DC or Scottie Montgomery are going to call the plays. It’s always been a collaboration and I don’t think they skip a beat without poopie pants