Detroit Lions make long term commitment to new head coach Dan Campbell

According to ESPN on Wednesday, the Detroit Lions have named Dan Campbell of Clifton, Texas their new head coach. But what is most striking about the Lions’ commitment to Campbell is the length of the contract. It is for a staggering six years for a team that has had a record of 120 wins and 209 losses since 2001, and has not won a playoff game since 1991.

Campbell is 44 years of age, and is getting his second head coaching assignment in the National Football League. He was previously the interim head coach for the Miami Dolphins during the 2015 season. That year, the Dolphins made Campbell head coach after firing Joe Philbin. In 12 games, the Dolphins had a record of five wins, and seven losses.

In addition to being the interim head coach in Miami, Campbell has been part of the assistant coaching staff in Miami and New Orleans over the years. He was a coaching intern with the Dolphins in 2010, followed by their tight ends coach from 2011 to 2015, and then the tight ends coach and assistant head coach for the New Orleans Saints from 2016 to 2020.

Campbell also played in the National Football League. He was a tight end with the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, and Lions from 1999 to 2008. In 114 games, Campbell had 91 catches for 934 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Campbell’s best season came in 2006 with the Lions when he had career highs in receiving yards (308), and touchdown catches (four). Now he has a chance to coach the team he played for.

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Campbell will be joined in Detroit with newly acquired general manager Brad Holmes, who was hired in the role a week ago. Holmes had been in the Rams’ organization as their director of college scouting since 2013.

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