Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell brings intensity as a head coach

The Detroit Lions needed discipline and intensity in their head coach; Dan Campbell checks both boxes as he joins the sidelines.

After a lost 2020 season, it was apparent that the Detroit Lions needed intensity from their coaching staff. Now, according to Jay Glazer, it is Dan Campbell, the former New Orleans Saints tight ends coach, who will be asked to lead the team in the future. With this hire comes a level of understanding but also a level of discipline that will be required.

Campbell is no stranger to the NFL as both an assistant and a player. In fact, he has two Super Bowl appearances to show for it with the Giants in 2000 and the Saints in 2009, where he won a ring. Campbell now returns to Detroit where, as a player, unfortunately, he was part of the first-ever 0-16 season, a memory to this day still hurts for both players and fans in the Motor City.

Now isn’t the time to dwell on a sad past. Instead, it is time to work on the future of Detroit football. Campbell’s background does give him an advantage and given the expectations from ownership and a staff that includes Chris Spielman, the pressure to win is high.

Dan Campbell’s intensity is much desired for the rough culture of the Detroit Lions.

This won’t be an easy fix. Detroit has a roster with thin talent. As far as postseason success, they have been fortunate to get into the field a couple of times but have not won a single playoff game since 1991. Additionally, though Matthew Stafford is still an excellent player, his age is affecting him as is his health. That must be diagnosed before making a decision.

Campbell does have experience in a head coaching role in Miami. He knows what the job is like and, furthermore, if Detroit citizens were questioned, they would say anyone is better than what was endured under Matt Patricia. To put it lightly, there’s nowhere to go but up.

Dan Campbell has his way of coaching. He’s been on the field and on the sideline. More importantly, he’s being asked to do what he normally does, which is to install intensity. The Detroit Lions now have a leader with a firm grasp on what to do in order to succeed.