Detroit Lions new coach Dan Campbell, in a passionate, emotional, intense and sometimes funny hour-long press conference, made his way through bite-sized roundabouts to greet tourists to refer to the “Great Lebowski ”While presenting himself in his new city and team.
If there were any questions about the type of passion the lion owner, Sheila Ford Hamp, and team president Rod Wood were looking for in the next head coach, it was obvious from the moment Campbell stepped into the microphone until the moment he left. .
Campbell gave a 19-minute opening statement, gave direct answers to a variety of topics, and expressed exactly what kind of team he wanted – one that mirrors the city he once played for.
“This place was kicked. It was hit. It was bruised. And I could sit here and tell you the speaker all day,” Campbell said Thursday. “I can give you, ‘Hey, we’re going to win this weekend.’ None of this matters, and you don’t want to hear it anyway. You’ve heard quite a bit about this — excuse my tongue.
“Here’s what I know. This team will take over the identity of this city and this city was down and found a way to get up. It found a way to overcome adversity, right? So this team will be built, we’ll “And when you punch us back, we’ll smile at you. And when you knock us down, we’ll stand up and bite a round. Okay? And we’ll stand up and we’ll do more.” “Take two blows to bring us down. And up, we’ll take another knee and get up and take three shots to bring us down. And when we do, we’ll take another piece out of you.”
“Soon, we will be the last to stand. This will be the mentality.”
Campbell’s message for the passion with which he wants his team to play and for him to train with him was clear. He acknowledged that part of what he was selling on Thursday was pitches for potential free agents to come to Detroit.
It was also the first time any of Campbell’s new players had heard him speak, so he wanted the message across.
Campbell also showed his humor, starting with the joke introduction, arriving in Detroit telling his agent, Rick Smith, to make sure the Lions thought they were meeting with Iowa State coach and NFL prospect prospect Matt Campbell. .
And Campbell acknowledged his resemblance to the character The Dude, played by Jeff Bridges in “The Big Lebowski,” saying he had heard the comparison before, but “the hair is not like before.”
Obviously, the Lions embraced the reference to “Big Lebowski,” identifying Campbell as “Head Coach / The Dude” on the identification plate hanging outside his office.
The new nameplate hanging outside the new office for the new HC Dan Campbell – The Dude. 📸 @Leii. pic.twitter.com/y6xKVy58FB
– Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 21, 2021
Campbell said after the press conference that he would switch from the suit to the equipment issued by the team and start working, which he did shortly thereafter. A source told Adam Schefter of ESPN that Campbell and the Lions hired New Orleans Saints assistant Aaron Glenn as Detroit’s new defensive coordinator.
Campbell had mentioned Glenn during the preserter as a candidate he hoped to join in Detroit.
“It’s no secret that I talked to Aaron Glenn about the defensive coordinator,” Campbell said. “I was with him [in New Orleans]. It’s definitely someone I’m interested in. But I’m working on it. “
This combination of things sold Ford Hamp and Wood. In the search, Wood said the lions were looking for four main criteria: “A male leader, someone who could command the camera and the attention of the entire team; external injuries and distractions; a positive voice for the entire organization with our media, league, colleagues, staff and fans and the ability to gather excellent staff. “
“We’re going to hit you in the teeth, aren’t we? And when you punch us back, we’ll smile at you. And when you knock us down, we’ll get up and climb. We’ll bite a ball. And we’ll stand and take two more. “And on the way, we’ll take the other ball and we’ll get up and take three pictures to take us down. And when we do, we’ll take another piece out of you.” we will be the last to stand. ”
Leon Campbell’s coach
Ford Hamp said Campbell sent a book on his coaching philosophy before their first interview, and “I literally read his culture and leadership statement and it was like he read our minds.”
“We need to bring some hope to this city, man,” Campbell said. “I am willing to do anything. Look, I think I’m a very important person, and a lot of you will think I’m a little bit here, but I think you can make things happen in a certain way.
“If you are a truly positive thinker, I think positive things can happen to you and those around you to grow from it and feel your energy.”
The former NFL tightly understands what the Lions are up against. He played three seasons in Detroit, including part of the 2008 team that went 0-16 – although he admitted on Thursday that he was injured most of the year and spent time rehabilitating in Texas, so he was not in around the day.
But Campbell, 44, was a player, assistant and head coach as interim with the Miami Dolphins in 2015.
Campbell also spent the last half decade studying under Sean Payton with Saints, a man and organization that he continually credited with during his introduction and that he felt excited about. So he has control over what he thinks and how he thinks it.
“I think the football team can start something great here. But, listen, that’s what I think is in my heart, man,” Campbell said. “Look, I don’t want to sell you guys something you’ve been sold to so many times – believe me I get it. And I wouldn’t want any of you to jump on board right now and be like, “I’m sold, I got it 100%.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to do it. But I will do everything I can to win your boys and make our team win you. At the end of the day, I know that the only victories and losses are what matters. “But when I say I want our team to take over the identity of this city, I mean it.”