Ex-Lion turned basketball coach optimistic about Detroit’s NFC title chances

Tony Scheffler, who currently coaches basketball, is interested in the NFC Championship Game for a variety of reasons.

Scheffler, who played for the Detroit Lions for four seasons, believes his former team can do something spectacular on Sunday when they meet the San Francisco 49ers for a spot in the Super Bowl.

“I think they’re going to win,” Scheffler said after leading Chelsea’s ladies basketball team to victory over Ypsilanti on Friday. “It’s sort of like destiny. Much like ourselves, I believe the script has already been written.

Scheffler, a Chelsea native and Western Michigan graduate, was picked by the Denver Broncos in 2006 and later traded to the Lions in 2010.
The 6-foot-5 former tight end played four seasons in Detroit, catching 120 receptions and scoring seven scores. He concluded his eight-year career with 258 receptions, 3,207 yards, and 22 touchdowns.
Scheffler took over as head coach of Chelsea’s girls basketball team in 2020 and has compiled a 68-12 record in four seasons.

The Chelsea native claimed he was conflicted because of his links to the 49ers, having played with Niners general manager John Lynch and admiring Kyle Shanahan during his time in Denver.
Still, Scheffler is impressed with how the Lions have turned things around and now have a chance to make history. I’m just really proud,” Scheffler said. “It’s been amazing and it’s great for the state.