When Dan Campbell took over as head coach of the Detroit Lions in 2021, the franchise was stuck near the bottom of the league. Through his culture-building approach and relentless work ethic, he transformed the team. However, the journey has been just as demanding for the coach.

“I try to be mindful of that," Campbell said when asked how demanding it is to be a head coach during the minicamp press conference on June 16. "This job is consuming, but I love it."

Since taking over the Lions, Campbell has overseen both setbacks and breakthroughs, transforming the once-dismal Lions team into a respected contender, even as a Super Bowl title remains out of reach.

“It's addictive, it's consuming, and so that's where you have to be careful," Campbell concluded. "But I'll have a chance to step away for a minute and get out, and be ready to go."

The Lions won a franchise record 15 games in 2024. However, the very next year, they lost both coordinators, Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears and Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets.

After making three playoff appearances in 2023 and then one in 2024, the Lions missed the postseason in 2025 due to injuries and the challenges of adjusting without their coordinators. Detroit finished the regular season with a 9-8 record.

Campbell even graded last season as a “freaking F" at his year-end press conference after losing the success he had built in Detroit over the years by missing the playoffs last season.

That said, as the team is looking to bounce back this season, Campbell has also cleared some doubts about the recent coaching and staff changes.

Dan Campbell Opens Up About Shuffle in the Coaching Roster

Following the departure of their coordinators, Detroit quietly made a surprising adjustment to their leadership structure.

While Drew Petzing has joined the staff as their new offensive coordinator, Jim O’Neill was elevated to assistant head coach from being the defensive assistant. Former assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery also transitioned to the associate head coach role.

“I would take a little bit off of me, and probably give Jim a little bit, as the best way to describe that. Scottie is still really out there again, he’s associate head coach, but he’s really the guy who I put a lot on, but Jim will take on some more,” said the head coach as per A to Z Sports.

It looks like rather than a demotion, Montgomery's new title appears to be more of a reshuffle. He remains the receivers coach while continuing to serve as one of the team’s key leaders.

Amidst the changes, Campbell reflected on the significance of a title for Detroit

“That’s what we’re striving for,” Campbell said. “It’s about winning a championship. That’s why we’re in this business.”

The Detroit Lions are one of four teams to never even appear in a Super Bowl. Will Campbell's "consuming" job finally pay off in 2026? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar