By Blessing 
The Coach Who Made Matt Patricia Look Like Bill Belichick
When it comes to coaching disasters in the NFL, Detroit Lions fans know their pain all too well. And while Matt Patricia’s time with the team was far from ideal, there’s one name that casts a darker shadow in Lions history—Marty Mornhinweg.
NFL fans have long memories, especially when it comes to the coaches who brought their teams more embarrassment than success. For the Lions, Mornhinweg’s era from 2001 to 2002 is often considered the low point. His record says it all: 2-14 in his debut season, followed by 3-13 the next. Back-to-back years of failure cemented his legacy in the worst way possible.
Mornhinweg’s stint was so dismal that he still shows up on lists ranking the worst head coaches in modern NFL history. A now-classic Deadspin article summed up the defining moment of his coaching tenure in one unforgettable quote:
> “The Lions lost without ever getting the ball, and his decision that day—’WE WANT THE WIND!’—became synonymous with a sort of proud, headlong stupidity. Well, to everyone except Mornhinweg: ‘It was the right call then, it’s the right call now, and it’s the right call 10 years from now.’ It wasn’t, it isn’t, it won’t be.”
That infamous moment came in sudden death overtime when Mornhinweg chose to kick off, opting for favorable wind conditions instead of possession. It’s a decision that continues to baffle fans to this day.
In a game where adaptability and smart risk-taking are key, his stubbornness was his downfall. Coaching isn’t just about confidence—it’s about knowing when to trust your gut and when to trust your team. That’s where the contrast with Dan Campbell becomes striking.
Fast forward to the present day, and the Lions are in a completely different place under Campbell’s leadership. He took over a 3-13 squad in 2021 and turned it into a 15-2 powerhouse in just a few seasons. That kind of progress doesn’t come from playing it safe or doubling down on bad calls.
Campbell’s success is rooted in his ability to trust his staff, adapt mid-game, and make gutsy decisions when they count. He’s not afraid to roll the dice, but it’s calculated—not reckless.
As Pride of Detroit once put it so sharply when reflecting on the Mornhinweg era:
> “I imagine Mornhinweg will get another opportunity to be a head coach someday, but here in Detroit, he will always be known as Marty Moron-weg due to that absolutely dumb call back in 2002… In a sudden death overtime, regardless of the wind, you take the ball. That gives your team the opportunity to win the game.”
That quote encapsulates why Mornhinweg’s time in Detroit remains a painful memory. His decisions didn’t just lose games—they betrayed the fundamentals of football strategy.
Now, with Jared Goff commanding the field and weapons like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, and David Montgomery at his disposal, Campbell’s bold calls actually inspire hope—not dread.
It’s a refreshing change for Lions fans. Gone are the days of cringe-worthy decisions and wasted potential. In their place is a coach who understands risk, respects the moment, and most importantly, learns from it.
Mornhinweg may go down in history, but not for the right reasons. Thankfully, Lions fans finally have a coach who gets it.