Dan Campbell: The Undisputed Choice for NFL Coach of the Year
A Season to Remember
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has officially been named one of the five finalists for the NFL Coach of the Year award, set to be announced at the NFL Honors on Thursday. After guiding the Lions to an unbelievable 15-2 record, a second consecutive NFC North title, and the top seed in the NFC playoffs, Campbell has cemented himself as one of the league’s most transformative coaches.
While Detroit’s Super Bowl dreams fell short, the 2024 season was still one for the ages. Under Campbell’s leadership, the Lions delivered one of the most dominant campaigns in franchise history.
The competition for Coach of the Year is fierce, with Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota), Dan Quinn (Washington), Andy Reid (Kansas City), and Sean Payton (Denver) also in contention. However, Campbell’s impact on the Lions makes him the most deserving candidate. Here’s why.
Every NFL team faces injuries throughout a season, but no team battled adversity quite like Detroit in 2024. The Lions endured a staggering number of injuries to key players, yet Campbell and his staff found ways to keep their championship aspirations alive.
When Aidan Hutchinson went down, Detroit wasted no time securing Za’Darius Smith at the trade deadline. The same held true for linebackers Ezekiel Turner and Kwon Alexander, who became critical contributors despite being midseason acquisitions.
In total, over 20 Lions players spent time on injured reserve, including major names like Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Alex Anzalone, Ifeatu Melifonwu, and Kalif Raymond. Despite this, Campbell still led the team to a league-best 15-2 record—a testament to his ability to adapt, motivate, and execute at the highest level.
Under Campbell’s guidance, the Detroit Lions emerged as the top team in the NFC during the regular season. Powered by an explosive offense, the Lions dominated their division, going undefeated against NFC North opponents.
Their success wasn’t just a product of talent—it was the result of a winning culture instilled by Campbell. The team’s resilience was on full display in comeback victories against Minnesota and Houston, as well as a dominant Week 18 win over the Vikings to clinch the division.
Perhaps most notably, Campbell outcoached Minnesota’s Kevin O’Connell twice, further solidifying his claim to the award. While the postseason didn’t end in a Super Bowl, the Lions’ ability to consistently rise above adversity showcases Campbell’s profound impact.
The Lions’ offense in 2024 was nothing short of historic. Under the direction of Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Detroit’s offensive unit ranked first in scoring and second in total yards—trailing only the Baltimore Ravens.
The record books had to be rewritten as the team set multiple franchise-best marks, including:
- Wins: 15
- Total Net Yards: 6,962
- Points Scored: 564
- Total Touchdowns: 70
- Point Differential: +222
Quarterback Jared Goff had his best season as a Lion, while four skill position players surpassed 1,000 all-purpose yards. Campbell didn’t just put together a good offense—he built an all-time great one.
Heading into 2024, some questioned whether Campbell’s aggressive fourth-down approach would remain after controversial decisions played a role in Detroit’s 2023 NFC Championship loss. Rather than backing down, Campbell doubled down on his bold philosophy—and it paid off.
Detroit ranked fourth in the NFL in fourth-down attempts (33), successfully converting 22 of them. One of the most defining moments came when David Montgomery’s fourth-and-1 conversion against Green Bay set up a game-winning field goal by Jake Bates.
Campbell’s fearlessness and trust in his players set the Lions apart. Instead of playing it safe, he coached to win—not just to avoid losing.
Above all else, Campbell has proven himself to be an exceptional leader. His postgame speeches routinely go viral, but his impact goes beyond motivation.
He has cultivated an elite culture in Detroit—one that has transformed the franchise into a prime destination for free agents. Players and coaches alike rave about his ability to prepare the team, both strategically and emotionally. His relentless, hard-nosed style—shaped by his own NFL playing career—resonates deeply with his locker room.
This level of leadership is rare in today’s NFL, and it’s a major reason why Detroit is experiencing its most successful era in decades.
Dan Campbell didn’t just lead the Lions to wins—he changed the franchise’s DNA. From navigating injuries to orchestrating a historic offense and fostering a winning culture, Campbell has done everything a Coach of the Year should do—and more.
While O’Connell, Quinn, Reid, and Payton all had impressive seasons, none overcame as many obstacles or elevated their franchise quite like Campbell. The Lions’ meteoric rise from mediocrity to NFC supremacy is proof enough—
Dan Campbell deserves to be named NFL Coach of the Year.
