A.J. Hinch Finds His Job Similar To Dan Campbell After the Detroit Legends' Meeting
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 27: Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell checking out his squad prior to the game between Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions on November 27, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI /CSM Detroit United States - ZUMAc04_ 20251127_zma_c04_002 Copyright: xAllanxDranbergx
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 27: Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell checking out his squad prior to the game between Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions on November 27, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI /CSM Detroit United States - ZUMAc04_ 20251127_zma_c04_002 Copyright: xAllanxDranbergx
A chance meeting over coffee has connected two of Detroit's biggest sports figures. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch and Lions coach Dan Campbell discovered their jobs are more alike than they imagined.
Hinch was en route to Arizona when he stayed at the same hotel hosting the NFL annual league meetings. While there, he got the opportunity to share a table with Dan Campbell for 45 minutes, as the two coaches discussed their game.
"What came out of it was we kind of handle players the same way, and we have the same thoughts and the same issues with trying to break in young talent or trying to take a team from good to great or trying to change the psychology of a team," the manager stated in his conversation with 97.1 The Ticket.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Scouting Combine Feb 25, 2025 Indianapolis, IN, USA Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Indianapolis Scouting Combine Indiana United States, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKirbyxLeex 20250225_jhp_al2_0352
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Scouting Combine Feb 25, 2025 Indianapolis, IN, USA Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Indianapolis Scouting Combine Indiana United States, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKirbyxLeex 20250225_jhp_al2_0352
He also touched upon how both managers had similar starts to their journey in the state of Michigan.
“When we both entered, the Lions were struggling, and the Tigers were struggling, and we've seen the emergence of Detroit sports,” Hinch further added.
Indeed, Hinch is right. Both of them took control of their respective teams back in 2021, when both the Lions and the Tigers were seen as struggling teams.
The Tigers had 114 losses in 2019 and were a bottom-tier team with no direction, but Hinch gave them one. Now, they are legitimate playoff contenders with a structured roster.
Similarly, Campbell brought culture, accountability, and roster structure to the team. Though they finished bottom of the division, their winning record stood at 9–8 in 2025. That aside, Hinch has a different plan for Campbell.
A.J. Hinch Proposes a Team-By-Team Interaction with Dan Campbell
Hinch understands that the Lions HC is a massive figure in the city, and it would be difficult to get him to come to one of their games, but still, he’s eager to bring Campbell into the Tigers’ inner circle for some behind-the-scenes prep.
"We love Detroit, and together we really bonded over that fact alone," Hinch explained. "And then, when you start talking about breaking down how to coach players nowadays, it was an awesome discussion. We'll have more of it now. I'm gonna get him to a game this summer."
All in all, it was a lighthearted exchange, but Dan Campbell and A.J. Hinch briefly entertained the idea of swapping roles, quickly realizing just how different their worlds really are.
While Campbell navigates a 17-game NFL grind, Hinch’s reality stretches across a relentless 162-game MLB season.
Given that, would you like a team-by-team interaction between them? Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!
Written by
Suryakant Das
Edited by
Aadesh Dhote