Grambling’s James ‘Shack’ Harris is bound for Motown

The Detroit Lions are expected to announce James “Shack” Harris, the 1960s Grambling quarterbacking legend, as a senior executive in personnel over the coming days.

Harris, who held a similar position with the NFL’s Jaguars for six seasons, joins a Lions club that set an NFL record by going 0-16 last season — winning just once in the last 24 games.

There followed a dramatic housecleaning in Detroit: Also hired are new head coach Jim Schwartz — defensive coordinator for the 13-3 Tennessee Titans last season — and Martin Mayhew as general manager.

Harris told me he is excited by the opportunity to help rebuild. In fact, he’s already moved to Motown from Florida.

“I’m proud of be part of that process. You just have to make good decisions,” Harris said this afternoon. “I’ll have to catch up with the personnel in place here. We played them (last year, a 38-14 win for Jacksonville in Detroit), so I know a little about what they have.”

The first black quarterback in NFL history to start a season opener, Harris also worked for six years as the Ravens’ pro personnel director, helping shape the Super Bowl-winning 2001 squad. He was drafted out of Grambling by the NFL’s Buffalo Bills in 1969, and played for the Rams and Chargers before retiring in 1982.