The Lions announced on Tuesday that they had signed Matt Campbell, their former offensive coordinator, to be their next head coach. The move came with a clear price-tag of $68.5 million over the next five seasons, including a $7 million buyout.
The Detroit Lions have so far lost two of their top three picks in the 2018 NFL Draft. They are also on the hook for a $68.5 million signing bonus from their expected selection of Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins. If the Lions are looking to win now, they drafted a quarterback that they hope to develop behind their established starter. However, that is the exact opposite of what they need if they want to rebuild. The Lions are expected to release Matthew Stafford after the 2018 season. **
The Detroit Lions have suffered a setback with the contracting of Matt Patricia from the New England Patriots. Ultimately, the theft of Bill Belichick’s coaching staff only set the franchise back. Ironically, earlier this year, the Lions renounced a risky (and expensive) plan to steal away one of Iowa State’s top college football coaches. Fortunately for Cyclones fans, Matt Campbell kept Detroit from making his dream come true.Matt Campbell climbed through the ranks and changed Iowa State
Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell celebrates winning the Fiesta Bowl on stage after his team, Oregon State, won at 2. January 2021 minted. | Christian Petersen/Getty Images COMPARED TO: How Alabama’s new offensive coordinator Nick Saban completely ruined his own NFLfranchise College football fans have seen Campbell rise from an unknown to one of the biggest names in the sport. It’s inevitable when you turn one of the worst programs in the country into one of the best in the Big 12. Before coming to Iowa State, Campbell went to Toledo. At 32, he was the youngest head coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Under his leadership, the Rockets compiled an impressive 35-15 record. During his tenure, the team finished 23rd in the AP poll. Campbell’s success at Toledo put him in the driver’s seat for a bigger job. In November 2015, he signed a six-year contract to become Iowa State’s new head coach. The former quarterback has worked hard to rebuild a program that had won eight times in the three years before his arrival. Iowa State has won 35-28 under Campbell. After a disappointing 7-6 record in 2019, the Cyclones rebounded with a 9-3 campaign last year, including a big Fiesta Bowl victory over Oregon. Campbell’s success at Iowa State has made him an attractive option for NFL teams. When it comes to finding someone who can make cultural changes, it’s hard to ignore the Ohio native.
Lions dropped expensive plan to kidnap Iowa State coach
COMPARED TO: Matthew Stafford admits the truth about his costly departure from the Detroit Lions This season, the Lions desperately needed to find a new leader. Finally, Dan Campbell, who played for the franchise from 2006 to 2008, was named head coach. But if things had gone differently, Detroit would have had a different Campbell at the helm. According to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports, the Lions have offered the Iowa coach an eight-year, $86.5 million contract. Dodd said the deal includes full control, but he could not confirm that. Instead of making the jump from college to the NFL, Matt Campbell opted for a contract extension at Iowa State. On the one hand, his decision seems rather risky. Giving away that much money could backfire if he doesn’t continue to make progress for the Cyclones. Giving up such financial (and professional) security may have been a mistake, but that remains to be seen. On the other hand, if the Lions offered Campbell nearly $69 million and full control of , that would also be a big gamble on their part. An eight-year contract with these terms would put the future of the franchise in the hands of someone with zero NFL experience. A missed goal might not be such a bad thing for the Lions. Despite the cancellation of one of the best coaches in college football, Detroit can look forward to a fresh start under a familiar face.
Can Dan Campbell change the Lions?
. COMPARED TO: From strategic dumping to sacrificing limbs Detroit coach Dan Campbell wants the local Lion to become a fixture on his team At one point in his life, Dan Campbell wore a Lions jersey. Now he will be on the sidelines trying to lead his former team to new heights. Will the departing NFL tight end succeed in his new role? Or will the multi-year assistant head coach of the New Orleans Saints fail to live up to expectations in Detroit? It would help if the Lions had a better team. The offense has some intriguing young players (Peney Sewell, T.J. Hockenson and D’Andre Swift), but there are big question marks at quarterback and receiver. On the other hand, the Lions don’t look very scary either. Jamie Collins, who turns 32 in October, is the only top-7 defender to ever make it to the Pro Bowl. The second team desperately needs 2020 first-round pick Jeff Okudah as a cornerback if they are to have any chance of keeping opponents’ quarterbacks in check. Dan Campbell and his team face the tough task of turning around a team that hasn’t won many games in recent years. It may not happen right away, but his no-nonsense attitude and fiery approach could help the Lions succeed in the future. All statistics are from Sports Reference.
