ALLEN PARK (WXYZ) — Dan Campbell made quite the statement with his introductory press conference a few weeks ago. Beyond biting knee caps, Campbell stressed that he was going to assemble a staff that could bring his vision to life.
“I’m going to find a staff that’s not just loaded with a bunch of people that look good on paper,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said.
Chatting with the Lions new coaching staff, they all have said one thing and backed it hard:
— Justin Rose (@JRoseWXYZ) February 10, 2021
They are here because of Dan Campbell.
Glowing reviews from his new assistants. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/VdBxBVG4EE
That staff is now assembled. A mix of former players and veteran coaches has the building buzzing with excitement of possibilities.
“I love the staff that Dan’s putting together, good people. I believe to have a good staff you have to have good people first, and they just happen to be damn good coaches so I’m excited to work with this staff,” Lions mew offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said.
“We take pride in teaching, we take pride in living vicariously through our players, thts who we are and that’s the energy you’re going to get from us everyday including coach Dan,” new assistant head coach/running backs coach Duce Staley added.
Over Super Bowl weekend, former Steelers coach now broadcaster Bill Cowher said that the Lions aren’t a team that people think of as a physical one, Campbell’s first comments were committed to changing that narrative, and it appears every staff member he’s brought on is going to also embody that message.
“We going to make sure we instill that into the players so that they understand what wins this game, tough, smart, confident and athletic players, and that’s what we’re looking for out there, so if Bill Cowher says that, I mean he’s right about what wins in this league, it’s tough players we’re going to make sure we get,” new defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said.
“At the end of the day, you can draw up this scheme, draw up that scheme but it’s still man whoop a man game, so that’s what you gotta get, a bunch of men on the field that can go out there and whip another man,” Stanley added.
The next few months will show us the direction this team is headed in, as there will be plenty of things to read into when free agency opens and then of course the NFL draft in April.