Switzerland’s Helvetic Guards, one of the newest members of the European League of Football, have wound up a busy period of coach signings with the announcement that former Detroit Lions defensive coach, Don Clemons, will expand his duties with the team adding the title of linebackers’ coach.
Clemons has also been serving as Athletics/coaching consultant.
The Guards are set to debut in the ELF in 2023.
With this addition of Clemons, head coach Norm Chow has assembled a coaching staff filled with years of NFL experience, with Clemons having the longest tenure. The 68 year old Clemons spent 27 years coaching the defense of the NFL’s Detroit Lions and swapped job titles a total of 10 times over the course of his remarkable run, serving under nine different head coaches and 14 separate defensive coordinators before his retirement in 2012.
Prior to arriving in Detroit in 1985, Clemons had coached in various roles at Kutztown University, New Mexico State and Arizona State. Since leaving pro football in Detroit, Clemons has shared his amazing knowledge with a number of schools and organizations, most recently with the Thun Tigers in Switzerland’s National League.
Matt Hammer, Athletic Director of the Guards:
“Coach Clemons who has already been a tremendous support to the Helvetic Guards in the form of sports consultant, is a natural fit to complete our defensive staff and lead our Linebacker unit. In the past five years, Don has become a prominent and respected figure in Swiss football and his generous nature, football acumen and passion is an important coaching addition to the Helvetic Guards program!”