Alongside being the driving force for the culture that has driven the Detroit Lions' turnaround since he took over as head coach, Dan Campbell has done one thing exceedingly well. He assembled a coaching staff that is practically unrivaled around the league. But with the team's success comes the reality that Campbell will eventually lose top assistant coaches to head coaching jobs.
It's a reality Campbell has never shied away from, in particular as offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn have become top head coaching candidates. It's quite possible Glenn leaves the Lions for a head coaching job before Johnson does.
When he spoke to reporters on Thursday, Johnson mentioned being including in a weekly "situational" meeting with Campbell, Glenn, etc.
During his press conference on Friday, Campbell was asked about how that came together and the importance of it.
"Number one, because those guys are gonna be head coaches eventually, whether it’s now, whether it’s later. So it’s good for them to see it," Campbell said. "It’s also good to for them to see the other side of it. To be able to see it from a defensive perspective on managing a game, to see it from an offensive perspective managing a game. You do that and you figure out what’s right for you."
"They know what’s right for us, because it’s the way I see it. Eventually, when it becomes their team, they may see it a little differently," Campbell continued. "There may be a more conservative approach, there may be a more aggressive approach."
Dan Campbell knows what he has on his coaching staff is unique
Campbell noted how running backs coach Scottie Montgomery is also a part of those weekly meetings.
Campbell, mentioned in the scope of a past New England Patriots Bill Belichick-era staff that had coordinators leave for head coaching jobs after a Super Bowl win, was asked if he savors the time he has with Glenn and Johnson with a similar possibility coming down the road.
"Yeah. I savor every bit of this because you’re not guaranteed, we’re not guaranteed any more wins, as far as that’s concerned," Campbell said. "You’ve got to earn every one of them, and you don’t know what’s gonna happen the next day or the next game in front of you. But I know this. This is a special team, and this is a special staff. And it’s been that way since the beginning, it really has been."
"Yeah, I absolutely do. I am fortunate, I’m blessed, I’m thankful that I have the coordinators, counting Fipp as well," Campbell explained. "All three of those guys are superstars. And I know, hey, when it’s over, it’s over. But we’re gonna make the most of it until that time comes.”
If/when Johnson, Glenn and/or Fipp leave the Lions for head coaching jobs, it's fair to assume Campbell will still have a top-notch staff; through internal promotions and with a targeted approach to any outside hires. But the current group is special, and Campbell knows it.