The Detroit Lions’ 2023 regular season was a special one, with the team winning its first-ever NFC North title. On top of that, they won 12 games and earned the NFC’s third seed.
A big reason for the Lions’ success and overall franchise turnaround has been their head coach, Dan Campbell. Before becoming a coach, did Campbell play in the NFL?
Dan Campbell’s NFL Career
Campbell was born on April 13, 1976, in Clifton, Texas. He started his football career attending Glen Rose High School, where he played both running back and tight end. He later attended Texas A&M, where he spent his college career.
During his four years at Texas A&M, Campbell was mainly a blocking tight end. However, despite that, he still caught 27 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns. Most of his college career was shared alongside Derrick Spiller, who had a solid college career as well.
Campbell was eventually drafted in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the New York Giants with the 79th overall pick. He spent four seasons with the Giants, totaling just 43 receptions for 369 yards and five touchdowns. He was a part of the Giants team that appeared in Super Bowl XXXV in 2000.
Campbell later signed with the Dallas Cowboys in free agency, where he played under Bill Parcells and behind Jason Witten. He spent three seasons with Dallas, compiling 25 receptions for 235 yards and two touchdowns. A decent bit of his Cowboy career was limited due to injury.
The rest of his true playing career came in Detroit when he signed with the Lions from 2006 to 2008. He compiled 23 receptions for 330 yards and four touchdowns during his three seasons with Detroit. He continued to suffer injuries, which ultimately led to his release in 2009.
After his time with Detroit, he signed with the New Orleans Saints. He reunited with Sean Payton, who was his offensive coordinator with the Cowboys and the Giants. However, he never played as he was hurt in training camp, spending the entire season on injured reserve. The Saints won Super Bowl XLIV, but Campbell was not granted a ring.
During his career, Campbell again mainly served as a blocking tight end. Still, he caught 91 passes for 934 yards and 11 touchdowns.
He began his coaching career almost immediately, joining the Miami Dolphins as a coaching intern in 2010. He was later promoted to tight ends coach in 2011.
After working with the Dolphins until 2015, Campbell was hired by the Saints and Sean Payton as an assistant head coach and tight ends coach. He held that position from 2016 to 2021 when the Lions hired him as their head coach.