NFL Head Coach Ranking Gets Dan Campbell All Wrong
Dan Campbell is simply a likeable guy. Seriously. He’s the kind of guy you’d want to hang out with on a Sunday, even during the off season. He’s funny. He’s relatable. And, he’s kind of just “one of us.” Campbell is also leading a winning Detroit Lions team going into the 2023 season. But, he’s not getting the respect he deserves in certain NFL head coach ranking lists and polls, in my opinion.
NFL Head Coach Ranking:
Campbell was kind of, sort of disrespected in the latest CBS Sports head coach ranking. I would have thought he would make the top 20, especially since the Detroit Lions are such a buzzed-about team this season. Instead, he comes in at No. 22, just ahead of Brandon Staley of the Los Angeles Chargers and behind Ron Rivera of the Washington Commanders.
So, what’s the rationale? He needs to work on his overall record. That’s a given. “A walking embodiment of testosterone, Campbell’s fiery optimism finally translated to wins in 2022, and his late-year staffing changes helped fuel defensive strides,” Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports says. “Now his challenge will be meeting expectations, ensuring QB Jared Goff is protected while the Lions try to capture their first NFC North title in 30 years.”
There’s also a site called Lombardiave.com that has shared a story ranking the best and worst NFC North coaches. In this list, Campbell comes in at No. 3. That’s out of 4, so not a great showing. He deserves better, I believe. “Campbell is a good coach, and he could lead the Lions into the playoffs this season,” they state. “But he needs to turn entertainment and potential into wins.” That’s true. They add, “Detroit showed signs of this in the second half of last year. Now Campbell needs to build on it. He has a roster good enough to make a playoff run.” Let’s hope Campbell gets that respect in this coming season.
