Head coach Steve Mariucci has hired George Catavolos as secondary coach, concluding his overhaul of the Detroit Lions staff.
A 19-year NFL veteran, Catavolos is the third new assistant on the defensive side of the ball, joining coordinator Dick Jauron and line coach Larry Brooks. In all, Marucci has added six assistants over the past month.
Catavolos, 58, is one of the NFL's most respected secondary coaches, a fiery assistant who demands strong fundamentals and sound techniques from his charges. He inherits a Lions secondary that statistically ranked No. 28 in 2003. The unit suffered a spate of crippling injuries but does feature Pro Bowl cornerback Dre Bly.
A former Purdue defensive back, Catavolos began his coaching career at his alma mater in 1967. After 17 seasons in the college ranks, Catavolos became an assistant with the Indianapolis Colts in 1984 and served 11 years in his first stint with the club.
He went to the Carolina Panthers in 1995, back to the Colts in 1998 and then moved to the Washington Redskins staff in 2002.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.