Sports
Dan Campbell
born 1976 · American football coach, former tight end
Former Lions tight end who became head coach in 2021 and, after a famous "kneecaps" introduction, turned Detroit into a Super Bowl contender.
- Born
Clifton, Texas
age 50- Birth name
- Daniel Allen Campbell
- Detroit years
- 2006–2009, 2021–present
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Campbell first came to Detroit as a free-agent tight end in 2006 and played for the Lions through their dismal late-2000s seasons, including the winless 2008 campaign. He returned in January 2021 as head coach of a team in deep rebuild. At his introductory press conference he promised a team that would "bite a kneecap off", a line that drew national jokes but became a rallying cry for Detroit. His aggressive, emotional style, including frequent fourth-down gambles, won over players and fans. In 2023 the Lions won their first division title in thirty years, their first playoff game since the 1991 season, and reached the NFC Championship Game. In 2024 they won a franchise-record 15 regular-season games. Under Campbell, Ford Field has become one of the loudest stadiums in the league and the Lions a source of civic pride.
Highlights
- Lions tight end 2006–2008
- Named Lions head coach on January 20, 2021
- 2023: first division title in 30 years and first playoff win since the 1991 season
- 2024: franchise-record 15 regular-season wins
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Worked here · 2006–2008, 2021–
Ford Field
The Lions' downtown stadium, where he played and now coaches.