Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell has emerged as the favorite to become the Lions’ next head coach, sources tell Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Lions can’t make it all official until after the Saints’ season is over, but Campbell seems primed to take over in a matter of weeks.
Meanwhile, the Lions have called off today’s scheduled interview with Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). Bowles was something of a longshot to get the gig, but it’s another indication that the Lions have settled on Campbell.
Campbell interviewed with the Lions on Jan. 11th and instantly made a strong impression on Detroit brass. Along the way, the Lions have also checked in with big-name candidates such as Eric Bieniemy, Marvin Lewis, Arthur Smith, and Robert Saleh. Interim head coach Darrell Bevell was also considered but, like Bowles, he never had strong odds of getting the permanent post.
The hire would complete Campbell’s rise up the coaching ladder, which began in 2010 with a Dolphins internship. In 2015, he wound up as the Fins’ interim head coach. A few years later, he declined the opportunity to interview for their HC vacancy. Now, it seems like Campbell has found the right fit.
Wow Saints assistant, definitely will bring a little voodoo magic to the Lions
Another bad hire .. Detroit ownership is as bad as Cincy.. continue to stay in purgatory
You can’t call it a bad hire when he hasn’t done anything yet. Although I have never heard of him before so that is throwing up some red flags for me. Most thought Patricia was a good one.
He had a run with dolphins a while back but I don’t think it was all that impressive. Detroit just never seems to make the right move though.
I agree. It’s way too premature to judge this hiring if it comes to fruition. Campbell was a backup tight end with Detroit for a few seasons including the infamous 0-16 season. He certainly wasn’t my first choice, as I wish the Lions would’ve pulled the trigger on Saleh when they had the chance, but I hope he succeeds nonetheless.
Bears ownership is easily one of the worst 3 in the entire nfl
Sheila Ford: “When your fans are hungry for a winner you hire the guy who can provide some soup”.
Clearly Patricia preferred Chunky.
Lions will regret not hiring Saleh.
The stars seemed to align for that, didn’t it? Too bad Saleh ended up in NY. I would liked to have seen a homecoming as well.
I’m actually surprised that it took this long. Not because of any particular success on Campbell’s part, but because his name has been coming up in coaching searches for five years now. Usually a team pulls the trigger sometime in that time period. I don’t think anyone knows what to expect from Campbell, other than a strong work ethic from his players, which apparently he is known for.
Then, again … he hasn’t coached yet in Detroit.