Not long ago, Detroit Lions fans were joking about “Don Crimble,” the awkward Madden stand-in for head coach Dan Campbell. But in Madden NFL 26, EA Sports is making up for lost time. Their latest trailer, which touts the biggest Franchise Mode update in over a decade, prominently features Campbell as one of four head coach archetypes players can choose from.
When customizing a head coach, Madden now offers four styles: offensive guru, defensive genius, development wizard, and real-life NFL coach. Each archetype is represented by an actual NFL coach’s likeness—Andy Reid for offensive mastermind, Todd Bowles for defensive whiz, and Dan Campbell embodying the development wizard.
While some may have hoped Campbell would be recognized for his aggressive offensive schemes, being chosen as the face of the development wizard archetype is still high praise. Campbell has earned a reputation around the league for maximizing his players’ potential and getting the best out of his team, both as a motivator and by understanding their strengths.
Madden NFL 26 drops on August 14, and you can watch the full trailer for the Franchise Mode deep dive online. The game promises new features including halftime shows, weekly recaps, customizable strategies, and head-to-toe coach customization.
Beyond Madden, Campbell’s Lions have been busy: safety Kerby Joseph recently hosted a youth camp in Detroit, rookie defensive end Ahmed Hassanein impressed with his breakdancing skills, and defensive quality control coach Dre Thompson got a feature highlighting his coaching path. Meanwhile, analysts continue to debate whether the Lions can handle the potential “brain-drain” as other teams eye their rising coaching stars.
Madden’s nod is just the latest sign of how far Campbell—and the Lions—have come.
Madden 26 Crowns Dan Campbell as Coaching Archetype for Player Development
