As the Lions get ready to head to Indianapolis for joint practices, Dan Campbell revealed he interviewed for the Colts head coaching job before Frank Reich got it.
The Detroit Lions will take on the Indianapolis Colts in their second preseason game on Saturday. But before that, the two teams will have joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday. To Lions head coach Dan Campbell, those practice sessions will be just as important as the game and the Colts were a clear-cut choice.
#Lions coach Dan Campbell on importance of joint practice in Indy: "It feels like you're getting two games in a week."
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) August 15, 2022
Campbell said the reason the Lions picked joint practice with Colts is based on his respect for Frank Reich and GM Chris Ballard, "You want to trust the partner you're working with."
— Jennifer Hammond (@HammerFox2) August 15, 2022
Via SI.com, Campbell talked about his relationship with Colts head coach Frank Reich.
"I just know him through the league man,” “When I had the chance to re-interview or interview for the head job in Miami full time, he was one of the first guys who called, he was with the Chargers. Things had kind of transpired out there for them. He had the number one offense, but wasn’t able to keep the job. So, shoot, I called him, we talked for a long time. I just knew from afar, I had a lot of respect they did, what they ran. Then we’ve just kind of talked throughout the years."
Dan Campbell reveals he interviewed with the Colts before Frank Reich was hired
In 2018, the Colts were set to hire New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their new head coach. But McDaniels left them at the metaphorical altar, choosing to stay in New England on the day of the press conference to introduce him.
A quick pivot to Reich of course came, and it’s safe to say it has worked out.
But on Monday Campbell, who then had just finished his second season as New Orleans Saints tight ends coach, revealed he also interviewed for the Colts’ head coaching job.
"I interviewed for the Colts job, with (GM Chris) Ballard, and certainly Frank got that job, and we talked about it. So I’ve just known him a long time, known him through the grapevine and just have a ton of respect for him.”"
Let’s say the Colts had hired Campbell. Would he be entering his fifth season there? Or would he have been fired by now? Where would Reich have ended up as a head coach? The Lions are certainly happy Campbell is their head coach right now, and things usually work out the way their supposed to.