On Thursday, the Detroit Lions secured a playoff berth with a dominant victory over the Green Bay Packers, marking a significant milestone in the franchise’s history. This victory set off a cascade of record-breaking achievements for the team. It’s the first time in 30 years that the Lions have made the playoffs in consecutive seasons. The win was also their 11th in a row, surpassing the previous franchise record of 10 consecutive victories. Furthermore, this win brought their season total to 12, equaling the franchise record for most wins in a season— a record that was matched by last year’s team.
To put it differently, the Lions have now tied their record for wins in a season twice in a row and are on track to surpass that mark, with four games left to play.
Thursday’s win was a true collective effort, but as Morgan Cannon noted, it was ultimately a display of coaching brilliance. Coach Dan Campbell’s bold decisions on fourth down were crucial in securing the victory, but the real story was the Lions’ defense. Despite having to rely on several reserves who had only been with the team for a matter of days, they held firm and delivered when it mattered most.
We’re witnessing an unprecedented era of Lions football, and that brings us to a key question: Is Dan Campbell the greatest coach in the history of the Detroit Lions?
The answer, when looking strictly at win percentage, would be no. Campbell currently ranks fourth among the Lions’ all-time coaches:
Potsy Clark: 53-25-7 (.679)
Buddy Parker: 47-23-2 (.671)
Dutch Clark: 14-8 (.636)
Dan Campbell: 36-27-1 (.570)
Campbell still has a lot of ground to cover, particularly since his loss total already exceeds those of the top two coaches in franchise history. Plus, there’s the issue of championships. Parker led the Lions to two championships, Clark won one, and even George Wilson (53-45-6) captured a title. Until Campbell wins a championship, some may argue he can’t be considered the best.
However, statistics only tell part of the story. The challenges Campbell has faced are unique. While the coaches from the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s won titles in a much smaller league—typically between 9 to 12 teams—Campbell has had to contend with the weight of decades of franchise failure and subpar ownership. In many ways, the task before him has been far more daunting.
Campbell has been nothing short of a savior for the Lions. For years, it seemed impossible to turn the franchise around, with a string of failed hires, from Super Bowl-winning coaches to former player favorites. Yet, nothing clicked until Campbell arrived in Detroit.
While it’s difficult to compare Campbell’s coaching style directly to legends like Parker, Clark, or Wilson, one thing stands out: Campbell’s leadership. He’s an exceptional communicator, a gifted delegator, and perhaps one of the most genuine, compassionate leaders to ever step foot in the Lions’ facility in Allen Park. That, for me, is enough to name him the greatest coach in franchise history.
What do you think? Head to the comments and share your thoughts.
