Dan Campbell

For other people named Dan Campbell, see Daniel Campbell.

Dan Campbell

Campbell with the Lions in 2022
Detroit Lions
Position:	Head coach
Personal information
Born:	(1976-04-13) April 13, 1976 (age 48) Clifton, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:	Glen Rose (TX)
College:	Texas A&M (1995–1998)
NFL draft:	1999  / Round: 3 / Pick: 79
Career history
As a player:
New York Giants (1999–2002) Dallas Cowboys (2003–2005) Detroit Lions (2006–2008) New Orleans Saints (2009)
As a coach:
Miami Dolphins (2010) Coaching intern Miami Dolphins (2011–2015) Tight ends coach Miami Dolphins (2015) Interim head coach New Orleans Saints (2016–2020) Assistant head coach & tight ends coach Detroit Lions (2021–present) Head coach
Career highlights and awards
As a player Super Bowl champion (XLIV)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 91 Receiving yards: 934 Receiving touchdowns: 11
Head coaching record
Regular season:	29–33–1 (.468)
Postseason:	2–1 (.667)
Career:	31–34–1 (.477)
Player stats at PFR
Coaching stats at PFR

Daniel Allen Campbell (born April 13, 1976) is an American football coach and a former tight end who has been the head coach for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) since 2021. He served as the assistant head coach and tight ends coach for the New Orleans Saints from 2016 to 2020 and also served as an assistant coach for the Miami Dolphins from 2010 to 2015, most recently as the interim head coach and tight ends coach. In the 2023 season, Campbell led the Lions to their first division title since 1993, their first playoff win since 1991, and their second ever NFC championship appearance.

Campbell played college football for Texas A&M. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft, and played in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints. Campbell played in the Super Bowl with the Giants in 2000.

Early years

Campbell was born in Clifton, Texas, and attended Glen Rose High School, where he was a tailback and tight end. ^{[1] [2]}

College career

Campbell accepted a football scholarship from Texas A&M University. ^{[3] [4]} In his last two seasons, he shared the tight end position with Derrick Spiller. As a junior, he posted 12 receptions for 143 yards (11.9-yard average) and two touchdowns.

As a senior, he started 2 games at the "B" slot, flanker, one game at split end and 2 contests at flanker. He recorded 7 receptions for 68 yards, one touchdown and 3 special teams tackles. ^[5]

Professional career

New York Giants

Campbell was selected by the New York Giants in the third round (79th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. ^[6] In 2000, he started four games and was a part of the team that appeared in Super Bowl XXXV. ^{[7] [8]} In 2001, he became the team's regular starting tight end after passing Howard Cross on the depth chart and was mainly used as a blocking tight end.

Dallas Cowboys

Campbell was one of the first free agents to sign with the Dallas Cowboys after Bill Parcells was named the head coach in 2003. He quickly became a team leader and although Jason Witten emerged as the main tight end, Campbell still served as a mentor and remained a key blocker on the offensive line. ^[9]

In 2004, he only played in three games because of torn ligaments in his foot and was placed on the injured reserve list on September 30.

In 2005, he recovered from an appendectomy on July 27, missing only 10 days of practice and returned to start all four preseason games. ^[10] The team employed two-tight end sets, which allowed him to start 12 games alongside Witten. ^{[11] [12]}

Detroit Lions

On March 14, 2006, Campbell was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Lions. Known mostly as a blocking tight end, he posted career-highs in receiving yards (308), average per reception (14.7 avg), long reception (30 yards), and touchdowns (four), the most^{[ clarification needed ]} by a Lions tight end since 2001. ^[13]

On September 22, 2007, he was placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury. ^[14] On September 9, 2008, he was again placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. ^[15] He was released on February 9, 2009. ^[16]

New Orleans Saints

On February 26, 2009, Campbell signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints, reuniting with head coach Sean Payton, who was his offensive coordinator with the Cowboys and the Giants. On August 10, he was placed on injured reserve with an MCL injury he suffered in training camp. ^[17] He spent the entire season on injured reserve and was not granted a Super Bowl ring by the team when they won Super Bowl XLIV. ^[18]

NFL career statistics

Year	Team	Games		Receiving					Fumbles
		GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Fum	Lost
1999	NYG	12	1	—	—	—	—	—	0	0
2000	NYG	16	5	8	46	5.8	13	3	1	2
2001	NYG	16	12	13	148	11.4	25	1	0	0
2002	NYG	16	16	22	175	8.0	27	1	0	0
2003	DAL	16	15	20	195	9.8	23	1	0	0
2004	DAL	3	2	2	16	8.0	9	0	0	0
2005	DAL	16	12	3	24	8.0	18	1	0	0
2006	DET	16	11	21	308	14.7	30	4	0	0
2007	DET	2	1	1	1	1.0	1	0	0	0
2008	DET	1	0	1	21	21.0	21	0	0	0
2009	NO	Did not play
Career		114	76	91	934	10.3	30	11	1	2

Coaching career

Miami Dolphins

In 2010, Campbell began his coaching career when he was hired by the Miami Dolphins as a coaching intern. ^[19] In 2011, Campbell was promoted to the tight ends coach. ^[20] Following the firing of the Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin on October 5, 2015, after a 1–3 start, Campbell was named the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2015 season. ^[21] Campbell led the team to five wins and seven losses. ^[22]

New Orleans Saints

In January 2016, Campbell was hired by the New Orleans Saints as their assistant head coach and tight ends coach under head coach Sean Payton. ^[23]

Detroit Lions

Campbell was appointed head coach of the Detroit Lions on January 20, 2021. ^[24] In his introductory press conference the following day, he said, "This team is going to take on the identity of this city, and this city's been down and it's found a way to get up. This team's going to be built on, we're going to kick you in the teeth....We're gonna get knocked down and on the way up, we're going to bite a kneecap off....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." ^[25]

2021 season

After starting the season 0–10–1, which included a 16–16 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9, ^[26] Campbell and the Lions recorded their first victory of the season in Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings, winning 29–27 with quarterback Jared Goff throwing the game-winning touchdown as time expired. ^{[27] [28]} After winning three of their final six games, Campbell finished his first season with a 3–13–1 record. ^[29]

2022 season

After a 1–6 start, Campbell and the Lions had a mid-season turnaround, winning eight of their next ten games to finish the season with a 9–8 record, remaining in playoff contention until the final day of the regular season, when they were eliminated by the Seattle Seahawks. ^{[30] [31]} The Lions clinched their first winning season since 2017 after a win and divisional sweep over the Green Bay Packers in Week 18, knocking the Packers out of the playoffs. However, they themselves had been knocked out of playoff contention earlier in the day when the Seahawks won their final game of the season, and with it the tiebreaker over the Lions. ^[32]

2023 season

Campbell and the Lions raced out to an 8–2 start, their best since 1962. ^[33] A win over the Minnesota Vikings gave the Lions their first division title in 30 years, and also assured them of their first home playoff game since then. ^{[34] [35]} They ultimately finished 12–5, tying a franchise record for regular season wins. On January 14, 2024, the Lions beat the Los Angeles Rams 24–23 to secure their first playoff win since 1991. ^[36] The Lions continued their playoff run on January 21 with a divisional 31–23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the first time they had won multiple playoff games since the NFL-AFL merger. ^[37] In the conference championship, they lost to the San Francisco 49ers. Following the game, Campbell was criticized for being too aggressive in his play-calling, which included him attempting to convert two 4th downs in field goal range and failing to convert both of them. He was also criticized for calling a running play with 1:05 left down 10 points which failed, causing him to have to use a timeout which necessitated an onside kick attempt. ^[38]

Coaching style

Campbell is known for his high level of energy, aggressive play calling, and interactions with the media. ^{[39] [40] [41] [42]}

Head coaching record

Team	Year	Regular season					Post season
		Won	Lost	Ties	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Win %	Result
MIA	2015*	5	7	0	.417	4th in AFC East	—	—	—	—
MIA Total		5	7	0	.417		0	0	.000
DET	2021	3	13	1	.206	4th in NFC North	—	—	—	—
DET	2022	9	8	0	.529	2nd in NFC North	—	—	—	—
DET	2023	12	5	0	.706	1st in NFC North	2	1	.667	Lost to San Francisco 49ers in NFC Championship Game
DET	2024	-	-	-	–		-	-
DET total		24	26	1	.480		2	1	.667
Total		29	33	1	.468		2	1	.667

*Interim head coach

Personal life

Campbell has two children with his wife, Holly. ^[43]

Campbell is a noted fan of Metallica, and during his time at Texas A&M, he was nicknamed "Dantallica" by his roommate Shane Lechler. He also enjoys country music and classic rock. ^{[44] [45]} During his playing career, he was nicknamed "The Dude," due to his resemblance to Jeff Bridges' character in The Big Lebowski . ^[46] Upon joining the Detroit Lions as head coach, he gained the nickname "MC/DC" by Pat McAfee on his daily radio show. The nickname, a play on AC/DC, is short for Motor City Dan Campbell. ^[47]

References

1. Javad, Jonah (October 20, 2022). "Dan Campbell, pride of Glen Rose, to face Dallas Cowboys for 1st time as head coach". WFAA. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
2. "Lions coach Dan Campbell was sleepless before 1st practice". Fort Worth Business Press. July 29, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
3. Rogers, Justin (October 13, 2021). "From Texas A&M to Miami, coaching paths cross again for Dan Campbell, Zac Taylor". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
4. "Texas A&M alum Dan Campbell named head coach for the Detroit Lions". Saturday Down South. January 20, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
5. "The top players in this weekend's NFL..." Chicago Tribune. April 18, 1999. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
6. "1999 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
7. "Dan Campbell 2000 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
8. "2000 New York Giants Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
9. Walker, James (October 9, 2015). "Jason Witten: Dolphins coach Dan Campbell 'tough guy' and 'leader'". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
10. "Spears has sprained knee and ankle, pulled groin". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 6, 2005. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
11. "2005 Dallas Cowboys Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
12. "2005 Dallas Cowboys Roster & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
13. "Dan Campbell 2006 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
14. Pasquarelli, Len (September 23, 2007). "Injury sidelines Lions starting tight end Campbell for '07 season". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
15. Yuille, Sean (September 9, 2008). "Lions Move Dan Campbell to IR, Sign Brandon Middleton". Pride Of Detroit. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
16. "2009 Detroit Lions Transactions". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
17. Armstrong, Jennifer (August 11, 2009). "New Orleans Saints place tight end Dan Campbell on injured reserve". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
18. Duncan, Jeff (June 20, 2010). "New Orleans Saints, general manager Mickey Loomis forced to make tough calls handing out Super Bowl rings". NOLA.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
19. Berreman, Brad (June 8, 2023). "Dan Campbell nearly got Dolphins full-time head coaching job after interim stint". SideLion Report. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
20. Woodyard, Eric (December 14, 2022). "'It was like love at first sight': Six stories that explain Lions coach Dan Campbell". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
21. Rosenthal, Gregg (October 5, 2015). "Miami Dolphins fire coach Joe Philbin". NFL.com. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
22. Beasley, Adam H. (January 3, 2016). "Frustrated interim coach Dan Campbell learns from mistakes as Miami Dolphins season comes to close". Miami Herald. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
23. Perkins, Chris (January 13, 2016). "Ex-Dolphins coach Dan Campbell to join New Orleans Saints". Sun-Sentinel. South Florida. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
24. "Lions agree to terms with Dan Campbell to become team's new head coach". Detroit Lions. January 20, 2021. Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
25. Crawford, Kirkland (January 21, 2021). "Detroit Lions' Dan Campbell: News conference has everyone ready to run through a wall". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
26. Graves, Will (November 14, 2021). "Comedy of errors as Steelers, Lions slog to 16–16 tie". AP News. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
27. Breech, John (December 7, 2021). "NFL Week 13 grades: Lions get an 'A' for shocking first win of the season, Patriots get 'A-' for wild win". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
28. Goessling, Ben (December 6, 2021). "Needing one last stop, the Vikings allow the Lions to win, at last". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
29. "2021 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
30. "2022 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
31. Birkett, Dave (January 8, 2023). "Detroit Lions eliminated from NFL playoffs after Seahawks clip Rams in epic OT game". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
32. Megargee, Steve (January 9, 2023). "Rodgers, Packers lose 20–16 to Lions, miss playoffs". AP News. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
33. Maakaron, John (November 19, 2023). "Lions Have Started NFL Season 8-2 for First Time since 1962". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved December 26, 2023.
34. Ramsey, Jared (December 24, 2023). "Detroit Lions players, fans go wild for first division title in 30 years". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved December 26, 2023.
35. Meinke, Kyle (December 24, 2023). "Instant observations: Lions win first NFC North crown, bring playoffs to Ford Field". MLive.com . Retrieved December 26, 2023.
36. Cooper, Mark (January 14, 2024). "How the Lions beat the Rams to snap a 32-year playoff win drought and spoil Matthew Stafford's return". The Athletic . Retrieved January 14, 2024.
37. Lage, Larry (January 22, 2024). "Jared Goff throws 2 TD passes, Lions advance to NFC title game with 31-23 win over Buccaneers". AP. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
38. NFL media fired up about Dan Campbell's decisions in Detroit Lions' NFC championship loss, Detroit Free Press, January 28, 2024
39. "On this date Dan Campbell delivers epic NFL kneecap speech – Sports Illustrated Detroit Lions News, Analysis and More". Sports Illustrated Detroit Lions News, Analysis and More. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
40. "Lions' Dan Campbell provides yet another memorable quote following Detroit's impressive win vs. Packers". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
41. "Once again, bettors love Lions' Dan Campbell for Coach of the Year". Yahoo Sports. August 9, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
42. Meinke, Kyle (September 11, 2023). "Ever wonder where Dan Campbell's aggressiveness comes from? Here you go". mlive. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
43. Crawford, Kirkland (January 21, 2021). "Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell: Full text of opening statement heard 'round the world". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
44. Ganguli, Tania (October 22, 2015). "Texans' Shane Lechler, Miami interim coach Dan Campbell lifelong friends". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
45. Walker, James (October 23, 2015). "Dolphins coach Dan Campbell explains strong affinity for Metallica". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
46. Rothstein, Michael (January 21, 2021). "Dan Campbell references kneecap biting, 'The Big Lebowski' in entertaining introduction as Detroit Lions coach". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
47. Rogers, Justin (March 3, 2021). "Lions' Dan Campbell joins Pat McAfee Show to talk past mistakes, why this will be different". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.

External links

• Detroit Lions bio