Detroit Lions' Dan Campbell Showcases Transformation as a Top Coach

Detroit Lions' Dan Campbell: A Journey of Transformation

DETROIT — The introduction-heard-'round-the-football-world is now three and a half years old. And for a time, was the lasting image of Dan Campbell. In the early years, you couldn't see the Detroit Lions receive a national mention without a knee-cap reference, often said in jest. That infamous presser was Campbell's attempt at speaking directly to this city and its fanbase.

This was a job he pounded a table for, quite literally in his initial interview with the team. It was his way of re-introducing himself — having played for this franchise during its 0-16 season — promising folks things would be different. However, his unapologetic desire to establish a winning brand of football, unbeknownst to Detroit, didn’t land the same outside of Michigan.

And so, Campbell became a caricature. Typecast as a meathead in over his head. A man on borrowed time. Many had made up their mind before he’d even coached a game. “We’re gonna kick you in the teeth, and when you punch us back, we’re going to smile at you. And when you knock us down, we’re gonna get up. And on the way up, we’re going to bite a kneecap off,” he famously stated.