The Detroit Lions had a memorable season, winning the NFC North for the first time since 1993. It’s no surprise that this accomplishment coincides with a new coaching staff, the transition from the previous head coach, Matt Patricia, to the Lions’ current head coach, Dan Campbell.
During Patricia’s dismissal during the 2020 Thanksgiving Day, fans hoped for a new coach to come in and save this broken franchise. Many others thought Robert Saleh, the current head coach of the New York Jets, was the answer. Fans were startled and unhappy when Saleh signed a five-year contract with the 2-14 squad and was “stuck” with New Orleans Saints associate head coach Dan Campbell. Fans have grown to appreciate Campbell’s fiery demeanor and competitive drive. Campbell’s determination and energy are reminiscent of another well-known NFL coach.
Why Dan Campbell is the Next Vince Lombardi
1. Dan Campbell motivates his players to constantly be better.
Lombardi was known for his motivational nature, making it virtually impossible for players to not want to become better. Zeke Bratkowski spent several seasons as the backup quarterback for the Packers franchise.
In 2007, Bratkowski commented on Lombardi, saying,
“Great coach. Great teacher. Great Christian. Great man. Motivator. I think of the ideals and all the things he talked about. I think we didn’t realize it until after we were done playing and got to what we would do. I think it’s obvious because you see what the guys did with themselves after they left football. I would say 99 percent of them were highly successful at what they were doing. I think the principles he laid down for us got us that way. Didn’t realize it at the time, but now we do.”
Lombardi was much more than a coach to his players; he was a mentor and teacher who helped shape them into better versions of themselves. Countless players have similar stories about Lombardi, highlighting the importance of his coaching and leadership on their lives during and after their football careers.
Campbell, like Lombardi, is known for his passion to make the best athletes and people out of everyone who wears the Honolulu blue uniform. Campbell consistently encourages his players to go stronger, faster, and play harder, and this has allowed them to develop into players they never imagined possible.
Aidan Hutchinson told CBS Sports last year, after the NFL season concluded, that Campbell is “very authentic and genuine.” That same energy you see on TV is the same intensity he displays in-person every day in every team meeting.” Campbell takes his role as head coach extremely seriously, and he owes it to his players to come to work every day with the same vigor. It is his responsibility to inspire his team to victory.
2. He was able to make something out of nothing.
When Vince Lombardi took over as coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1959, he took over where Ray McLean left off: 1-10-1. Despite the difficulties, Lombardi was able to turn around the underwhelming Packers club, leading them to a winning record every year he was in charge. His coaching not only resulted in winning records, but also four NFL championships and two Super Bowls. Lombardi’s coaching created an ideal environment for the players to achieve their greatest success in Green Bay.
When Vince Lombardi took over as coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1959, he took over where Ray McLean left off: 1-10-1. Despite the difficulties, Lombardi was able to turn around the underwhelming Packers club, leading them to a winning record every year he was in charge. His coaching not only resulted in winning records, but also four NFL championships and two Super Bowls. Lombardi’s coaching created an ideal environment for the players to achieve their greatest success in Green Bay.
3. Dan Campbell is an expert at motivational speeches
There is no question that a good coach is able to use his words effectively. Lombardi was able to use his words to inspire and foster an encouraging environment that would make players want to do better.
Lombardi’s comments and lectures stayed with players for the duration of their tenure in Green Bay, NFL careers, and beyond. Lombardi went considerably further in his capacity as a coach than many others in the league. He saw his position of power as a chance and a duty to teach these young guys that hard work is required to win. Lombardi highlights in his famous speech What It Takes to Be Number One that “there is something in good men that really yearns for discipline and the harsh reality of head-to-head combat.” Discipline was exactly what Lombardi utilized to turn these players become excellent men.
Many players, like Lombardi, admire Campbell for the language he uses to push his guys to do better. Since the beginning of time, the Lions have had dismal seasons and coaches that do not believe in their squad. On January 21st, 2021, football fans got a taste of what Campbell was all about during his first press conference as head coach:
“ So this team is going to be built on, we’re going to kick you in the teeth, right? And when you punch us back, we’re going to smile at you. And when you knock us down, we’re going to get up, and on the way up, we’re going to bite a kneecap off. All right?”.
These statements represented something the Lions had never really seen before: a coach who sincerely believed in the Lions and what they might accomplish. During his Brown Bros podcast, Amon-Ra St. Brown comments on Campbell, saying, “His speeches are actually — I’m used to his speeches.” They’re excellent. You think they’re OD (overdone), yet I can’t fathom an other coach being as excellent as him.”
Campbell’s remarks, like Lombardi’s, helped the players to see his vision of what the Lions could be if they were ready to put in the effort. And that’s exactly what the Lions did, propelling them to an incredible season.
Many people find it difficult to think Dan Campbell can be compared to a legend like Vince Lombardi. You’d be a fool to ignore the many similarities between the two highly regarded coaches. Campbell, like Lombardi, came into Detroit with an open mind, not defining the Lions by their failures in the past, and poured his blood, sweat, and tears into this club, allowing the Lions to be as successful as they are now.
If Campbell is able to continue building this new club, his legacy will be remembered not only for the Lions, but for the NFL in general, for years to come, and he will be hailed as one of the best coaches of all time.
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