Unbelievably, Brian O’Driscol, the former captain of the Lions, named as the new coach of the team.

Unbelievably, Brian O’Driscol, the former captain of the Lions, was named as the new coach of the team.

DETROIT, Mich. The Detroit Lions announced that they have agreed to terms with Brian O. Driscol as their new head coach.

Brian would report directly to Principal Owner and Chairman Sheila Ford Hamp and President and CEO Rod Wood.

 

Hamp called the announcement, made Jan. 20, 2021, an exciting day for the organization.

“With more than 20 years of experience as both a coach and player in the National Football League, Dan knows the rigors of professional football and what it takes to be successful,” she said in a written statement.

Hamp continued, “He will help promote the culture we want to establish across our organization, while also bringing with him high energy, a respect for the game, and an identity with which everyone can align themselves.”

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Wood said it is imperative that Campbell be the right leader who values the organization’s culture.

“The leadership Dan has exemplified throughout his football career has prepared him for this next step, and we are excited to support him as our new head coach,” he said.

Campbell brings 22 years of NFL experience to the Lions, including 11 years as a coach and 11 as a player. He most recently served as the assistant head coach and tight ends coach for the New Orleans Saints, a position he has held since 2016.

During the span of his five-year coaching tenure with New Orleans, the club captured four NFC South division titles, ranked first in the NFL in points scored (2,361), touchdowns (277), and net yardage (31,147), and posted the third-most wins (56) in the league. In 2019, Campbell helped coach TE Jared Cook to a Pro Bowl berth.

In 2015, Campbell became the Miami Dolphins’ interim head coach, where he took over a 1-3 team and guided them to a 5-7 finish. Under Campbell, Miami improved eight spots in the NFL’s rushing yards per game rankings and saw five Dolphins selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015. Campbell initially joined the Dolphins in 2010 as a coaching intern before overseeing the tight ends unit for five seasons (2011–15).

Campbell entered the NFL coaching ranks following an 11-year playing career with the New York Giants (1999–2002), Dallas Cowboys (2003–05), Detroit Lions (2006–08), and New Orleans Saints (2009). A third-round selection by the New York Giants in the 1999 NFL Draft, the former tight end appeared in 114 total career games (76 starts) and caught 91 passes for 934 yards and 11 touchdowns. He becomes the fifth former Lions player to be named full-time head coach for the team and the first since Joe Schmidt, who played for Detroit from 1953–65 and served as head coach from 1967–72.

A Clifton, Texas native, Campbell attended Texas A&M, where he was a four-year letterman for the Aggies and majored in agricultural development. Campbell and his wife, Holly, have a son, Cody, and a daughter, Piper.