With an 11-1 record and a 10-game winning streak, the Detroit Lions sit at the top of every NFL power ranking heading into Week 14. Head coach Dan Campbell is a strong contender for Coach of the Year, even if his chances of winning might feel diminished due to the Lions simply meeting expectations this season.
There’s rarely a dull moment when it comes to Campbell, especially with frequent stories shared by his players. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing around 250 pounds, Campbell exudes the physical presence of a former player and can be as intimidating as he chooses. Last month, kicker Jake Bates shared an insight into a regular practice routine where Campbell simulates game-like stress scenarios.
Bates recalled, “There’s been a couple things he’s done. He’ll get super close and just stare at me. He’s a big dude, obviously, he’s got his hands on his knees, staring at me.” That description paints quite the vivid image.
Connor Orr, from Sports Illustrated, ranks the Lions No. 1 in his NFL power rankings for Week 14. Orr dedicates his write-up to the “vibe” Campbell gives off, referencing a recent situation involving a social media post by Jahmyr Gibbs. Orr humorously notes, “I feel like Dan Campbell is both the absolute best and worst coach to have when you accidentally post your team’s offensive code words on social media. On one hand, he’s saying that it doesn’t matter, which is cool and takes the heat off your back. On the other hand, you have one of the league’s most mysteriously scary coaches in the NFL.”
Orr also mentions that center Frank Ragnow once pointed out the unusual aspect of Campbell’s presence: he’s always at the facility, always in top physical shape, but no one has ever actually seen him work out. “You don’t want that guy mad at you,” Ragnow added.
As Orr observed, Campbell quickly dismissed the incident involving Gibbs’ social media blunder, but he was clearly not pleased when initially informed of it. Behind the scenes, it’s likely Campbell gave Gibbs a blunt talking-to before they eventually laughed it off together.
Campbell’s coaching style stands apart from others in the NFL. He rarely engages in the usual “coach speak,” except when it comes to the occasional injury update. The phrase “mysteriously scary” now seems to capture Campbell’s essence perfectly, and it somehow feels fitting.