Just when the Detroit Lions were looking at facing another head coaching switch in the middle of the season with a 1-6 start, the franchise witnessed a different type of change — a change in expectations.
Why? Detroit rolled to winning eight of its last 10 games in 2022. Now, a franchise with low expectations has soaring ones, with Dan Campbell returning as their head coach.
How Long Has Dan Campbell Been With the Lions?
Campbell brought new energy to a floundering franchise with some well-trending quotes from his opening presser in 2021.
“We’ve got to take on the persona of this city,” was one notable quote. But so was, “We’re going to bite off kneecaps.”
To recap, opposing kneecaps haven’t received teeth marks from the Lions in Campbell’s three seasons. But Campbell has re-established a hard-nosed identity in the Motor City that’s fueling the positivity for the Lions in 2023.
As a former NFL tight end known for his blocking, Campbell’s Lions teams are known for pounding teams into submission in the ground game, with 13 contests of 100 rushing yards or more last season as proof. And that includes the 265 they racked up in the 41-10 rout of the Chicago Bears in Week 17. The Lions ended up finishing third in rushing scores with 23 total.
Campbell, though, doesn’t neglect the passing game for the Lions. His 2022 passing offense ranked eighth in yards and touchdowns. And, as an offensive guy, the Lions ranked fifth overall on that side of the ball and fourth in yards.
Who Did Campbell Take Over for, and How Much Has Changed?
Campbell came to the Lions with no prior coordinator experience. He was always a tight ends coach and assistant head coach — the latter title he held with the New Orleans Saints.
But he came to a franchise that needed to shed its underachieving results under a past Super Bowl winner in Matt Patricia.
A former New England Patriots defensive coordinator, Patricia’s Lions teams endured double-digit losing seasons in all of his three years from 2018 to 2020. However, he was fired when the team fell to 4-7 overall in his final campaign.
While Campbell’s first season was a disastrous 3-13-1 outing, last year’s 9-8 mark snapped a four-year streak of double-digit losing campaigns. Now, the Lions enter a season with playoff expectations for the first time since 2017.
What Is Campbell’s Record?
Campbell will aim to reach the .500 mark or change his current coaching record this season. He’s 12-21-1 with the Lions. However, he’s 17-28-1 overall when he’s been the head man.
He went 5-7 overall on interim duty in 2015 when the Miami Dolphins fired Joe Philbin after a 1-3 start. Campbell is one of 19 current NFL head coaches who have lasted more than two seasons at his post.
Additionally, he’s joined his fellow 2021 hires in entering Year 3, as Arthur Smith, Robert Saleh, Brandon Staley, and Nick Sirianni are all heading toward their third season for their teams.
He’s now on an early watch list for NFL Coach of the Year ahead of the 2023 season.
Has Campbell Ever Won a Super Bowl?
Campbell has witnessed a Super Bowl title before. But that was before his coaching career.
His taste of Super Bowl euphoria came in his final NFL season as a player — the 2009 season with the New Orleans Saints.
MORE: Detroit Lions 2023 Schedule
Campbell was injured during that season but witnessed the Saints put together their first championship-winning campaign in franchise history that ended with a 31-17 win down in Miami.
Now, as the Lions will soon embark on their 94th season, Campbell will aim to lead Detroit to a long-awaited Super Bowl appearance as expectations soar.