Former linebacker Chris Spielman has left Fox Sports and is joining the Detroit Lions as a special assistant.

Fox Sports elevated Brock Huard to work alongside Kevin Kugler in the wake of Spielman’s departure.

“Thank you for an amazing 5yrs,” Spielman wrote on Twitter. “From management to all my teammates you’ve been an incredible group both personally and professionally. I’ll always consider you my teammates no matter what life brings.”

The Lions announced Tuesday that Spielman will report to president and CEO Rod Wood and participate in interviews for the team’s general manager and coaching vacancies. Detroit fired GM Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia earlier this season.

“That was why it was so critical to get him involved early because I wouldn’t want to bring him in after we’ve hired a general manager or after we’ve hired a coach and have them wonder what his role is,” team president Rod Wood said. “That will be very clear to them while we’re interviewing the candidates, and he’s part of the process of hiring them, so he’s going to be invested in their success.”

The Lions also announced that Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders, former Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis and former Arizona Cardinals GM Rod Graves will serve as advisors for the team’s searches.

Spielman is Detroit’s career leader in tackles and helped the Lions to the NFC title game in 1992, the closest they’ve come to a Super Bowl. Spielman has also been a broadcaster for FOX Sports and ESPN.

— With AP