By Sunday 
Detroit Lions fans have every reason to smile in 2025. With Dan Campbell at the helm and back-to-back NFC North titles under their belt, this new era of gritty dominance feels worlds apart from where the franchise once was. But CBS Sports just dropped a reminder of the Lions’ not-so-distant past — and it’s not pretty.
A Painful Blast from the Past
In a scathing list of the Top 25 Worst NFL Coaching Hires of the 21st Century, CBS Sports named not one, not two, but three former Lions head coaches. It’s a brutal—but fair—roster of mishaps that defined Detroit’s long-running struggles before the current turnaround.
Here’s the unfortunate trio:
🛑 Matt Patricia: A Culture Clash at #9
Known for his pencil, defensive pedigree, and a Bill Belichick coaching tree stamp, Matt Patricia arrived in 2018 with high hopes. What followed was a 13-29-1 tenure riddled with locker room tension, player disconnect, and a culture that flatlined. His strained relationship with Pro Bowl CB Darius Slay was emblematic of the rift. His exit in 2020 wasn’t just welcomed — it felt overdue.
🤦 Marty Mornhinweg: The Overtime Gaffe at #7
Coaching the Lions from 2001 to 2002, Mornhinweg posted a dismal 5-27 record. But what really cemented his legacy? His infamous decision to kick off in overtime — during the sudden-death era. It was one of the most head-scratching coaching choices in NFL history, and it has followed him ever since.
😖 Rod Marinelli: The Infamous 0-16 Season at #10
From 2006 to 2008, Marinelli gave it his all — but ended with a 10-38 record and the NFL’s first 0-16 season in 2008. While he was respected as a man and motivator, the on-field results were historically poor. That season is still a sore spot in Detroit’s memory banks.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Together, the trio went 28-94 across eight seasons. That’s not just bad — that’s franchise-altering bad. It’s the kind of stretch that makes fans skeptical of any new hire, no matter how promising.
A New Day with Dan Campbell
Fast forward to 2025 and things look very different.
Dan Campbell — once mocked for his “kneecap-biting” soundbite — has delivered results. Over the past two seasons, the Lions have gone 27-7, claimed consecutive NFC North crowns, and built a rock-solid culture rooted in accountability and swagger. Campbell fits Detroit’s blue-collar spirit like a glove, and Lions fans wouldn’t trade him for the world.
As Campbell himself recently said on Dallas radio:
“I belong here. It fits. Everything about it was the right fit for me. From the ownership to the city to the field, the fans… it’s just perfect.”
From Pit to Pride
CBS’ list serves as a tough—but necessary—reminder of where this franchise came from. For Detroit, the ghosts of past coaches don’t haunt anymore — they highlight just how sweet this new era really is.