Dan Campbell

For other people named Dan Campbell, see Daniel Campbell.

Dan Campbell
refer to caption
Campbell with the Lions in 2022
Detroit Lions
Position:Head coach
Personal information
Born: (1976-04-13) April 13, 1976 (age 47)
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:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
As player:
Career NFL statistics
Games played:114
Receptions:91
Receiving yards:934
Receiving touchdowns:11
Head coaching record
Regular season:23–30–1 (.435)
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR
Coaching stats at PFR

Daniel Allen Campbell (born April 13, 1976), nicknamed "Motor City Dan Campbell", or "MCDC" for short, 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 previously 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.

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 subsequently played in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints. As a player, Campbell played in the Super Bowl with the Giants in 2000.

Known for his high energy, passion for the game, aggressive play calling, and memorable quotes, particularly when at his introductory press conference for the Lions, he famously remarked that his future teams would "bite a kneecap off" of their opponents, Campbell has become one of the more recognizable coaches in the NFL, and a fan favorite of Lions and NFL fans alike.[1][2][3][4][5]

Early years

Campbell was born in Clifton, Texas and attended Glen Rose High School, where he was a tailback and tight end.[6][7]

Playing career

College

Campbell accepted a football scholarship from Texas A&M University.[8][9] 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.[10]

National Football League

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5+1⁄4 in
(1.96 m) 		263 lb
(119 kg) 		31 in
(0.79 m) 		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		 4.83 s 1.63 s 2.76 s 4.07 s 7.00 s 36.0 in
(0.91 m)		 10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)		 25 reps
All values from NFL Combine[11][12]

New York Giants

Campbell was selected by the New York Giants in the third round (79th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft.[13] In 2000, he started four games and was a part of the team that appeared in Super Bowl XXXV.[14][15] 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.

In 2002, his blocking helped Kerry Collins throw for a club record 4,073 yards and Tiki Barber rush for the second best total in franchise history 1,387 yards.

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.[16]

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.[17] The team employed two-tight end sets, which allowed him to start 12 games alongside Witten.[18][19]

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.[20]

On September 22, 2007, he was placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury.[21] On September 9, 2008, he was again placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.[22] He was released on February 9, 2009.[23]

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.[24] 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.[25]

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 1
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 0 0 did not play due to injury
Career 114 76 91 934 10.3 30 11 1 1

Coaching career

Miami Dolphins

In 2010, Campbell began his coaching career when he was hired by the Miami Dolphins as a coaching intern.[26] In 2011, Campbell was promoted to the tight ends coach.[27] 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.[28] Campbell led the team to five wins and seven losses.[29]

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.[30]

Detroit Lions

Campbell was appointed head coach of the Detroit Lions on January 20, 2021.[31] In his introductory press conference the following day, he famously 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."[32]

2021 season

After starting the season 0–10–1, which included a 16–16 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9,[33] Campbell and the Lions recorded their first victory of the season against the Minnesota Vikings during [34] week 13. Quarterback Jared Goff threw the game-winning touchdown with two seconds remaining in regulation and the Lions won 29–27.[35] After winning three of their final six games of the season, Campbell finished his first season with a 3–13–1 record.[36]

2022 season

Despite a 1–6 start for the Lions, Campbell and the Lions would have a mid-season turnaround, winning eight of their next ten games finishing the season with a 9–8 record, and remaining in playoff contention until the final day of the regular season where they would be eliminated by the Seattle Seahawks.[37][38] However, the Lions clinched their first winning season since 2017 after a win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 18.[39]

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 6 2 0 .750 — — — —
DET total 18 23 1 .440 0 0 .000
Total 23 30 1 .435 0 0 .000

*Interim head coach

Personal life

Campbell has two children with his wife Holly.[40]

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.[41][42] During his playing career, he was nicknamed "The Dude", due to his resemblance to Jeff Bridges' character in The Big Lebowski.[43] Upon joining the Detroit Lions, he gained the nickname "MC/DC" by Pat McAfee on his daily radio show. The acronym is short for Motor City Dan Campbell, and also a spoof of and reference to AC/DC.[44]

References

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "Dan Campbell's Fired Up Locker Room Speech After Lions' Win Was So Good | Sports Illustrated". www.si.com. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  3. ^ "Lions' Dan Campbell provides yet another memorable quote following Detroit's impressive win vs. Packers". www.cbssports.com. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  4. ^ "Once again, bettors love Lions' Dan Campbell for Coach of the Year". Yahoo Sports. August 9, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  5. ^ Meinke, Kyle (September 11, 2023). "Ever wonder where Dan Campbell's aggressiveness comes from? Here you go". mlive. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Lions coach Dan Campbell was sleepless before 1st practice". Fort Worth Business Press. July 29, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Texas A&M alum Dan Campbell named head coach for the Detroit Lions". Saturday Down South. January 20, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "1999 Draft Scout Dan Campbell, Texas AM NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  12. ^ "Dan Campbell, Combine Results, TE – Texas A&M". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  13. ^ "1999 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  14. ^ "Dan Campbell 2000 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "2000 New York Giants Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  16. ^ Walker, James (October 9, 2015). "Jason Witten: Dolphins coach Dan Campbell 'tough guy' and 'leader'". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  17. ^ "Spears has sprained knee and ankle, pulled groin". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 6, 2005. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  18. ^ "2005 Dallas Cowboys Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  19. ^ "2005 Dallas Cowboys Roster & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  20. ^ "Dan Campbell 2006 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  21. ^ Pasquarelli, Len (September 23, 2007). "Injury sidelines Lions starting tight end Campbell for '07 season". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  22. ^ Yuille, Sean (September 9, 2008). "Lions Move Dan Campbell to IR, Sign Brandon Middleton". Pride Of Detroit. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  23. ^ "2009 Detroit Lions Transactions". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ Duncan, Jeff (June 20, 2010). "New Orleans Saints, general manager Mickey Loomis forced to make tough calls handing out Super Bowl rings". NOLA.com. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  26. ^ Berreman, Brad (June 8, 2023). "Dan Campbell nearly got Dolphins full-time head coaching job after interim stint". SideLion Report. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (October 5, 2015). "Miami Dolphins fire coach Joe Philbin". NFL.com. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ Perkins, Chris (January 13, 2016). "Ex-Dolphins coach Dan Campbell to join New Orleans Saints". Sun-Sentinel. South Florida. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ Graves, Will (November 14, 2021). "Comedy of errors as Steelers, Lions slog to 16–16 tie". AP News. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  34. ^ 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.
  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ "2021 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  37. ^ "2022 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  38. ^ 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.
  39. ^ Megargee, Steve (January 9, 2023). "Rodgers, Packers lose 20–16 to Lions, miss playoffs". AP News. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  40. ^ 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.
  41. ^ Ganguli, Tania (October 22, 2015). "Texans' Shane Lechler, Miami interim coach Dan Campbell lifelong friends". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  42. ^ Walker, James (October 23, 2015). "Dolphins coach Dan Campbell explains strong affinity for Metallica". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  43. ^ 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.
  44. ^ 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