By Moses Joshua 
Despite transforming the Detroit Lions into a legitimate contender, Campbell is once more overlooked among the NFL’s elite
The Underrated Architect of Detroit’s Rise
It’s baffling, at this point, how Dan Campbell continues to fly under the national radar. Since taking over the Detroit Lions in 2021, Campbell has completely reshaped one of the NFL’s most historically troubled franchises — turning a perennial punchline into a powerhouse. Yet even after a 15-2 season and deep playoff run, his name is conspicuously absent from the top tier of coaching accolades.
Recently, Pro Football Focus’s Dalton Wasserman released a ranking of the NFL’s top 10 head coaches entering the 2025 season. Campbell landed at No. 9, just ahead of Cleveland’s Kevin Stefanski — and behind coaches like Sean McVay, Mike Tomlin, and both Harbaugh brothers.
Wasserman admitted Campbell has done “so much more” than promised when he vowed to change the culture in Detroit. He notes that after starting 4-19-1, Campbell has guided the team to 35 wins in their last 44 regular-season games, a feat few modern coaches can match.
Still, Wasserman’s list feels like a lifetime achievement award more than a present-day performance evaluation — favoring Super Bowl appearances over transformative impact.
More Than a Motivator
Campbell’s perception as a motivational leader — famous for his emotional pressers and gritty one-liners — often overshadows his strategic brilliance. But insiders know better.
Fox Sports analyst Mark Schlereth recently praised Campbell on The Rich Eisen Show, saying, “I don’t think people really understand how smart and how good a coach he is… Dan had a lot to do with how that offense has been established.”
While offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has deservedly earned praise, it was Campbell who helped build the system, develop the identity, and make the gutsy personnel calls that put Detroit on the NFL map again.
A Legacy Still in Progress
What’s missing from Campbell’s résumé? Probably just the hardware. In a league where legacy is often defined by Lombardi Trophies, Campbell’s next hurdle is clear: win the Super Bowl. If he does that, it will be impossible for even the most old-school voters to keep his name out of the top five — or the Hall of Fame conversation down the line.
Until then, Dan Campbell remains one of the most disrespected elite coaches in football. But as Lions fans already know: that’s just fuel for the fire.