When the Detroit Lions named Dan Campbell head coach back in 2021, I fully admit that I wasn’t sure what to think about it. He seemed to come out of nowhere. Sure, he was with the New Orleans Saints from 2016 to 2020 and served as their assistant head coach and tight ends coach. He also had experience with the Miami Dolphins, even as interim head coach in 2015. But, he wasn’t a “sexy” name like a lot of coaching candidates these days. He didn’t have real head coach experience and was passed up for several head coach positions in the past.

Dan Campbell’s Backstory with the Detroit Lions

As a lifelong Lions fan, I’m used to the franchise making, well, questionable choices. But, when Sheila Ford Hamp took over the team in 2020, things changed quickly. She’s done such a fantastic job with the team. For years, Lions fans have been chanting to get rid of the Fords, but now, they’re singing her praises. So, when Ford Hamp took on Campbell, I had to believe in him.

That first year was rough. The Lions went into December having not won even a single game. Brutal. I definitely thought he was the wrong fit at this time. Plus, after the losses, he seemed to have just stupid quotes. I remember a quote from him about how awesome it would be to have Detroit win their first game of the season during their annual Thanksgiving Day game. Not, Dan, that would not be cool, because that would mean that we would have lost every game of the season leading up to that point.

So, like many Lions fans, I went into the second season with Campbell with a lot of hesitation. Then, the Lions kept losing and losing again. What was going on? Sure, we had always been the brunt of jokes. But, to not win hardly any games again seemed wild. But, then, out of nowhere, Campbell and the Lions started winning. They won almost every single game of the second half of that season. Quarterback Jared Goff looked like a different man on the field. He was completing passes and had a newfound confident. It was almost magical to see.

Then, we got to the 2023 season. The Lions were one of the most buzzed-about teams going into the 2023 season. That’s not usual for us. People around the country were rooting for the Lions to do well. Part of it had to do with Dan and the team being on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” the year prior. They’re just an endearing bunch.

And, we all know what happened in 2023. The Lions kept winning. They made it all the way to the NFC Championship game for the first time in 30 years. They should have won, in my opinion. There was some weird black magic that was going on during that game that prevented us from winning. But, all of our main coaches are back in 2024, so this coming season could actually be the season that the Lions make it to the Super Bowl for the first time ever.

Commentary: Dan Campbell is Simply a Players’ Coach

So, what makes Dan Campbell a good fit for the Lions and why are they succeeding under his management? He’s a players’ coach.

He actually was a player. He played football for a whopping four NFL teams: the New York Giants (1999–2002), Dallas Cowboys (2003–2005), Detroit Lions (2006–2008) and New Orleans Saints (2009).

Having that on-field experience gives him a ton of credibility and respect from the players themselves, and that matters. I believe the players are more likely to listen to him, because they know that he’s been in their shoes. He also is bringing a really positive environment to the Lions, and that matters, too.

Campbell has been there himself. He gets it. And that’s why he’s a players’ coach.