Detroit Lions: Are Holmes and Campbell a match made in heaven?

Detroit Lions fans meet your new general manager, Brad Holmes. Brad, meet Dan Campbell, your new head coach.

Now let’s start at the beginning. Brad Holmes is on the job, but while it has been reported that he had a comprehensive game plan he discussed in his interview for how he would turn the Lions around, it sounds like his plan was more about the culture that needs to be built than an actual plan about who to trade or who to draft.

Holmes admitted that the ‘retooling’ wouldn’t be able to take place until the Lions have hired a head coach and the two of them have had a chance to sit down together and discuss what that head coach’s vision is. Because as Holmes rightly admitted, the head coach is the one who charts the course. Once again, Brad, meet Dan Campbell.

The next step will be for Campbell to establish that vision with Holmes so they are on the same page with what they want to do, then Holmes can go about the business of targeting players that fit that vision. Both in free agency and the draft.

This will also be a good time to decide who doesn’t fit into the Lions’ plans. In other words, getting rid of any driftwood that isn’t talented enough, and moving any talented players that aren’t in that vision for draft capital.

Holmes emphasized that passion for the game is an important intangible that he looks for in players. He also displayed that passion throughout his press conference. While he didn’t jump up and down or pound on the podium, his words were passionate and he was clearly happy to be in Detroit.

Aside from all of that, the rest of Brad Holmes’ introductory virtual press conference was mostly what we would call ‘coach speak’. Now that Dan Campbell has officially been named the Lions’ next head coach. The question is; will Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell be a match made in heaven?