Dan Campbell is an aggressive coach. He’s not afraid to make decisions no other coach would make — even when they don’t really make that much sense.
We saw that happened on Saturday in a game the Lions absolutely needed to win against the Dallas Cowboys.
Detroit scored. All the Lions needed was a field goal to tie the game and go into overtime. But Campbell wanted the win — he went for two. The Lions successfully converted on the first try but a blunder by the game officials not only reversed the conversion but also pushed Detroit back a few yards.
Most would assume Campbell would just kick the field goal here and go into overtime. Nope. He tried again. Twice. And failed both times.
That decision left everyone questioning Campbell, including Detroit radio host Jim Costa. Costa had Campbell on his show to talk about the decision and, well, let’s just say things got a bit tense.
Costa clearly didn’t agree with Campbell’s decision there but wouldn’t just outright say it. Not until Campbell made him.Take a listen.
Volume up.
Dan Campbell is as real as it gets.
Via @971theticketxyt pic.twitter.com/rVqowExcN6
— Champagne Athletics (@champletics) January 2, 2024
“Campbell: Go ahead and say it. Both of you. Say what you want to say.
Costa: I think [going for two] from the 7 is a low-percentage play. I think your chances of winning are lower than if you kick the extra point.
Campbell: Say it like you would say it to anybody else. I’m on the radio. Say it like you want to say it.
Costa: I thought it was a wreckless decision.
Campbell: Thank you.
Costa: But you don’t regret it?
Campbell: No.”
Sheesh. Well, there you have it, folks. Campbell doesn’t regret his decision at all. And, clearly, he also welcomes people to disagree with the decision, too.
You’ve got to respect that. The fans out there certainly did.
This is how you protect your men, and take the heat… I respect it. https://t.co/mhfkghMKCm
— The_Coach (@ToughUpFront77) January 3, 2024
Same energy https://t.co/kwI7HELP4A pic.twitter.com/nuTXUWyoyt
— Rob Woodfork (@RobWoodfork) January 3, 2024
I really hope they win a playoff game, the city of Detroit deserves it, my guy Monty deserves it, my guy Vildor deserves it, but most importantly, this guy does and he’s pure freakin entertainment and INCREDIBLE for the game https://t.co/8kAZ295zsZ
— B (@BShulkes) January 3, 2024
Biggest thing about Dan is you have to respect that he is unapologetically himself.
Probably the closest thing you will get to true transparency in the professional sports world of a coach being exactly who he is, no matter if he’s in front of the camera or not. https://t.co/qXg0RtvT3Z
— Tre Watson Sr. (@MDQue_33) January 3, 2024
This why I root for these Lions. I respect coach Campbell’s approach https://t.co/67cftmv1Eo
— OmahaStarSports (@OmahaStarSports) January 3, 2024
This is about the DNA the coach wants his team to have. I got no problem with this tbh https://t.co/Lbkq65wB69
— Sam (@Moorelife1) January 2, 2024
Easy to see why Dan Campbell has helped turn the Lions around. https://t.co/qH7nYyEPus
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) January 3, 2024
I like this guy. https://t.co/Xf3WkT5aCM
— AT (@primediscussion) January 2, 2024
