The Hard-Hitting Head Coach Of The Detroit Lions | Dan Campbell

Is The Search Finally Over?

The Detroit Lions have been searching for a head coach who could lead this franchise to the post season and beyond. They might have just found the right man for the job in Dan Campbell. Campbell was named the head coach of the Lions on January 20th, 2021. Since then, coach Campbell has made a big impression with his no-nonsense approach, hard-hitting style and off the wall press conferences.

We attempt to unmask the walking meme of energy & positivity, taking a closer look at the real Dan Campbell. A man who has quickly become the face of Detroit, a coach beloved by his players, coaches, media, and fans around the world.

Just Who Is Dan Campbell?

Dan Campbell was born on November 13, 1976, in Humble, Texas. He played college football at Texas A&M University and was a tight end in the NFL for 11 seasons. He began his career with the Giants from 1999-2002, Cowboys 2003-2005, Lions 2006-2008 and finally with the Saints in 2009 where he retired as a player.

Campbell started out as a coaching intern with the Miami Dolphins in 2010. He was promoted to the tight ends coach from 2011-2015. Following the firing of then Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin, Campbell was named interim head coach for the remainder of the 2015 season. Campbell led the team to a 5-7 record after Philbin started 1-3. After his time with the Dolphins, Campbell became the assistant head coach & tight ends coach with the New Orleans Saints from 2016-2020. Working under Sean Payton in New Orleans, its safe to say that Campbell learned quite a bit about coaching a football team.

Dan Campbell was hired on January 20th, 2021 to become the new head coach of the Detroit Lions. The following day, the newly appointed head coach shocked the NFL world during his infamous introductory press conference. This statement may forever live in infamy as the best quote ever by a new head coach.

“Here’s what I do know, is that this team is going to take on the identity of this city. And, this city’s been down, and it found a way to get up. It’s found a way to overcome adversity,”

“So, this team’s going to be built on: we’re going to kick you in the teeth, all right, and when you punch us back, we’re going to smile at you, and when you knock us down, we’re going to get up. And, on the way up, we’re going to bite a kneecap off, alright” “And we’re going to stand up, and then it’s going to take two more shots to knock us down, alright. And on the way up we’re going to take your other kneecap. And we’re going to get up, and then it’s going to take 3 shots to get us down.” “And when we do were going to take another hunk out of you.”

“Before long we’re going to be the last one standing. Any loss that we take, we’re going to feel the full pain from it and not be numb to it.”

Huge Expectations, Not Just Coach Speak, The Heart Of A Lion

Dan Campbell is tough, demanding a ton from his players and his staff. This does not always work for new coaches, Matt Patricia is a perfect example. Coming in to a fractured franchise and demanding a ton from everyone can often go wrong in a hurry. When you push too hard or ask too much without proof of positive results, the team begins to have doubt. This is especially true when you demand such a high level of work ethic and accountability, to only win 3 games in season 1, and start 1-6 in season 2.

The difference is Campbell was able to lead a resurgence and finish 8-2 in 2022. For the 1st time since the 2017 season, the Lions finished .500 or better. Backed by Sheila Hamp and Brad Holmes, Dan stayed true to himself, the plan, the process and goes as far to jump in the fire with his player’s and staff. Campbell will fight alongside his team every day, owning the results no matter how bad, and giving praise to others when the result is good.

One of the biggest challenges for any coach is communication. This is a positive quality that sets him apart from many of the coaches in the NFL. His innate ability to communicate with his players, staff and media is by far one of the best traits Campbell has quickly become known for. Speeches that are so darn motivational, inspirational, genuine, emotional, and with a bit of RA RA mixed in. Through his speeches, Campbell leaves his team inspired and motivated to perform at their absolute best. It is easy to see that the players have responded the right way, this team is different than years past.

Campbell is a coach who cares about his players, his coaches, and their development. Dan is a family oriented person, and it shows in the way he treats everyone around him. He wants you to win both on the field and off the field, to become the best person you can be. When someone genuinely cares about you and proves it, you respond differently. We saw this with Ben Johnson coming back, Aaron Glenn sticking around, and multiple players signing for less than they could have elsewhere this past free agency period. They stayed to continue building with Campbell and the Lions.

Whether it is after a game in the locker room, a press conference, or every moment in front of the camera. Campbell is showing his love with passion and admiration often for his players, his staff, and the franchise ownership. How do we know it’s working? His players have responded both on and off the field. The coaching staff have adopted his style, and admire the way Dan puts in the work for all of them to succeed. Every player speaks highly of Campbell whether they move on to a new team or not. Campbell’s approach to coaching has made an impact in Detroit, and the NFL has now taken notice.

Building A Winning Culture

In addition to his coaching skills, Campbell’s background as a former NFL player has been a huge asset for the Lions. He knows what it takes to succeed as a player, and a deep understanding of what players go through on and off the field. He has trained under one of the best coaches to ever do it in the NFL, in Sean Payton. This insight will be invaluable as he works to build trust with his players and demand a winning culture in Detroit.

The Detroit Lions contracts game is unmatched, the financial teams inside Allen Park have helped to shape the path forward. The Lions entered 2023 free agency with the 3rd most cap space, and after signing and re-signing the player’s they felt were part of the culture going forward, they ended up with more cap than they started with after the draft.

The renegotiated contracts of Vaitai and Okwara speak volumes to just how well respected Dan Campbell is and this Lions organization are becoming. Never have the Lions been in such a great position to win. Leaving the door open to a couple big signings should the Lions need to bolster the top 51 due to injury or when entering the playoffs to make that final push.

The Lions have not had much for success in recent years, or decades really. Campbell has had a huge job in front of him since day one. To rebrand and rebuild this team into a winning franchise. Changing the tone in Allen Park is where it all began. Campbell has already started to put his stamp on this team, as this franchise is rapidly gaining traction around the league. The Lions are building a winner, and doing it the right way.

His relationship with Brad Holmes is strong and their vision together is aligned with the ownership. With Dan Campbell at the helm, Brad Holmes doing Brad Holmes things, and the rest of the management team all in sync, the Lions future is looking bright.

Looking To The Future

For 2023, the Lions have their sights set high. It is NFC north champions or bust. It is a home playoff game and nothing less. It is putting the Detroit Lions back on the map and rerouting the success of this team for many seasons to come. They have drafted the right way and brought in talent that normally would have shied away from Detroit in the past.

Campbell is working hard to create a culture of hard work, dedication, and accountability in Detroit. He is demanding that this team, and his players give their all on the field, in practice and remain good men in the off season. Campbell is working to build a strong bond between the players and coaching staff, making sure that everyone is on the same page, knowing what it takes to win each and every Sunday.

As the Lions franchise looks to the future, Dan Campbell is the right man to lead this team. As the new face of Motown, Dan has shown his unique ability to lead and coach with passion is what this organization has been missing. He may not color inside the lines, or say all the right things, and that is because it all comes from one place, his heart of a Lion. He speaks what he feels and says what is on his mind. His words are not carefully selected script like all the other coach speak around the league.

In conclusion, Campbell is a coach who is not afraid to take on a challenge. His commitment to the players, and the respect he has for everyone under his tutelage, is a testament to his character. He has the skills, the experience, and the drive to create a winning culture, ultimately changing the trajectory of this franchise for a very long time. He has the tenacity and the willingness to make a huge impact in Detroit. Campbell will stop at nothing to raise the Lombardi trophy with his players, the city of Detroit, Sheila Hamp, Brad Holmes and the rest of the Lions organization.

Campbell knows more than anyone that this team is about everyone in that building, not just himself. He has stated many times that he is only as good as the men and women around him. Dan is the captain of the Lions ship, with only one goal in mind. Which is sailing to a victory formation very often on Sundays, (Now Thursdays, Mondays and Saturdays Too).

Edited 5.15.2023 10:00AM