While the season is over, the Detroit Lions still have a few things to look forward to.
Dan Campbell was among five coaches nominated for the AP NFL Coach of the Year Award. Campbell was already awarded the 2024 Pro Football Talk Coach of the Year Award.
Campbell led the Lions to their winningest season in franchise history and broke several other records this season. However, there is more to the team’s success than what happens on the field.
Campbell’s unique coaching style was evident across every part of the season. But what makes him coach of the year?
Team Success
Dan Campbell proved that last year’s success was not a fluke. It was not a one-time playoff bout.
This is a brand-new Lions team, and they are here to stay. While this team had high expectations, Campbell enabled the Lions to prevail despite adversity. And this adversity is more than what some call ‘adversity’ when they lose one game.
Injuries affected the team the most this season. Campbell emphasized the team’s next-man-up mentality this season. He ensured that every player was ready to go for the game. Injuries can be a good excuse for teams, but Campbell never turned that way. Despite the struggles and expectations, Dan Campbell proved that the Lions are a playoff team.
We could discuss the team’s highest-scoring offense in the regular season or its scoring on 51% of drives, the highest in the NFL. During the regular season, the Lions tied for the best record in the NFL. They earned the No. 1 seed for the NFC and went undefeated in their conference (two wins over COY candidate Kevin O’Connell).
Despite having the most plays in the league, the Lions only punted 45 times (the fewest in the NFL). The Lions have proven time and again that they are a force to be reckoned with in the NFL. While this does support Dan Campbell’s campaign, it is not all that’s behind that smirk.
Confidence
Dan Campbell was confident in his team.
He showed it at every practice and game. Not many coaches would willingly watch their QB fumble the ball, nor would they have Jared Goff receive a touchdown or give Penei Sewell a passing play. Only a few coaches would let their punter throw for 17 yards from their own seven-yard line. Campbell took the talent before him and used it to its potential. He allowed everyone to prove themselves.
After the comeback victory over the Texans, he said, “I know this, it’s a special team, and it’s a special staff, and it has been that way since the beginning.” He saw they were special and coached like he knew it.
Dan Campbell’s Passion
Nobody loves this team like Dan Campbell does.
After their win over the Vikings, he said, “ I love this freakin team. I love the coaches. I love the players. I love everything about it.” Former teammates recognize his authenticity with this team. He has a genuine passion and love for his players and staff.
Coaching
Dan has been transforming what is going on inside the Den.
In the last four years, he has trained 29 draft picks to make this succeeding team. His two offensive coordinators were just hired as head coaches of struggling NFL teams. They were also both nominated for the Assistant Coach of the Year Award. He turned a team from 3-13-1 to 15-2. This doesn’t just happen because someone walked onto the field and told them to play better football, then brought in a horde of new players.
In this new era, Campbell has taught the franchise what it means to be aggressive. He brought in a gritty kneecap-biting mentality. He took on his role as leader and led. Throughout the doubts of the off-season, the injuries of the regular season, and the struggle of the postseason, Dan Campbell was there for his team in every way possible.
Final Argument
Dan Campbell is the coach of the year. His fellow nominees are:
- Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings
- Sean Payton, Denver Broncos
- Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders
- Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
Dan Campbell’s argument stands out from the others.
Despite his head-to-head loss against Dan Quinn, Campbell is still the better coach. Both are objectively aggressive. They both are dealing with younger teams.
The difference is here: Dan Campbell built the team that plays for him. This is the team that he brought in, hired, trained, taught, and cultivated. The players were given these opportunities because of Campbell and his staff. They became the football players they are because of Campbell and his staff. They had high expectations, and Campbell saw that it was fulfilled. He turned the Cinderella story into a powerhouse team.
You cannot watch a Detroit Lions game without thinking, “Wow, Dan is doing something special there in the Motor City.”
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