Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is known for being a serious, focused guy on the field. His attitude toward his team and playing in the NFL has been contagious to his Lions players during his tenure.
Yet Campbell isn’t all rough and tough. He has a soft spot, too, especially when it comes to his wife, Holly, and their family. Dan will be on the field on Christmas Day as the 8-7 Lions, led by quarterback Jared Goff, go on the road to play the Minnesota Vikings and backup quarterback Max Brosmer.
Taking a Look at Lions HC Dan Campbell’s Family
Campbell has been married to Holly since 1999. The couple has two kids named Cody and Piper. It’s not always easy being the wife of an NFL head coach. When talking about it last year, Holly Campbell discussed her life as Campbell’s wife.
“You have to kind of anticipate what he needs, because sometimes he needs you to be completely supportive, sometimes he wants the advice, sometimes he wants the sounding board and sometimes he just wants you to listen,” Holly said.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all 💙 pic.twitter.com/RUTQidJfQD
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 25, 2025
Dan has a long history in the NFL as a player and coach. He spent 11 years in the league, including a stop with the Dallas Cowboys, who were playing in another Christmas Day game against the Washington Commanders in Landover, Md.
After Dan finished his NFL career, he became an assistant coach with the Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints. Then, Dan made the jump to become head coach of the Lions.
His son, Cody, graduated from Michigan with a master’s in business analytics. Before finishing up his academics, though, he also played football for Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.
Besides being a softie to his family, Dan, along with Holly, has three dogs waiting for them at home all the time. Their names are Thelma, Louise, and Bird. But Dan also knows that he needs Holly’s help and support to be an NFL head coach. When Dan was introduced as the Lions’ new head coach, he took time out to show some love and respect toward his wife.
“I have to thank a lot of people, OK?” Dan said, according to an article from the Detroit Free Press. “First and foremost, my wife, Holly.
“We’ve been married for over 20 years,” Dan said at the time. “She’s been my rock, man. She’s moved with me, she tells me exactly how it is – in a good way – well not always in a good way, but my point is, she’s going to let me know exactly what she thinks, and that’s a good thing.”
While Dan is totally focused on what’s happening on the field for Detroit, it’s obvious that he loves his family, kids, and, yes, his and Holly’s three dogs, too.
