Dan Campbell Was Not Lions' First Head Coach Choice
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 21: Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell exasperated, but gives credit to the Steelers and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin for their win after the game between Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions on December 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI /CSM Detroit United States - ZUMAc04_ 20251221_zma_c04_090 Copyright: xAllanxDranbergx
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 21: Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell exasperated, but gives credit to the Steelers and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin for their win after the game between Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions on December 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI /CSM Detroit United States - ZUMAc04_ 20251221_zma_c04_090 Copyright: xAllanxDranbergx
The Detroit Lions' identity today is built on “Grit”, but it almost took a very different path. Before Dan Campbell brought that edge to Detroit, another hire was close to changing the culture entirely.
Revealed in the recent story covered by Jake Trotter of ESPN, the Detroit Lions were all set to land a deal with the Iowa State Cyclones’ head coach Matt Campbell in 2021 instead of Dan Campbell.
“Leaving Ames wasn’t something that I was looking to do or wanting to do,” Matt Campbell said, before pulling out of the deal.
According to Pride of Detroit, there were multiple reports stating that the Lions and Matt had an eight-year contract for $68.5M.
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 21: Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff 16 and Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell 58 lead the team out of the tunnel during pregame introductions the Detroit Lions versus the Pittsburgh Steelers game on Sunday December 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 21 Steelers at Lions EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2582025122101335
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 21: Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff 16 and Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell 58 lead the team out of the tunnel during pregame introductions the Detroit Lions versus the Pittsburgh Steelers game on Sunday December 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 21 Steelers at Lions EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2582025122101335
Jeremy Reisman of the Pride of Detroit wrote, “A few days after that, a conflicting report came out that Detroit never even offered Matt Campbell a contract, with a team source telling the Detroit Free Press that his pursuit never went beyond a first interview.”
Per detroitlions.com, in 2020, the Lions were facing turmoil at the head coach position. Despite having the winning record of 36-28, head coach Jim Caldwell was replaced by Matt Patricia in 2017.
Patricia was dismissed due to a 4-7 record in the 2020 season. For the rest of the season, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell was promoted as the interim head coach. But for the 16th week, Robert Prince took over his place, due to COVID protocols.
Following the conclusion of the 2020 season, the Lions hired Dan Campbell as their permanent head coach in January 2021.
Regardless, Dan Campbell remains at the helm as Detroit prepares for 2026.
Dan Campbell Enters 2026 Season Looking to Reclaim NFC North Title
The Lions missed the 2025 playoffs. Under the guidance of head coach Dan Campbell, they ended their season at 9 wins and 8 losses, finishing last in the NFC North division.
According to a story covered by James Dator on the SBNation, Campbell is the only coach who has brought sustained success to the Lions in over 20 years.
Dator wrote, “A lot hinges on this season. After a down 2025 led to the Lions missing the playoffs and taking a step back in both offense and defense, it’s only right to ponder whether or not Detroit fell into the hole of having a good, not great coach.”
A primary objective is to regain the NFC North title, which the Lions won back-to-back in 2023 and 2024.
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Written by
Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker
Edited by
Rudra Dubey