Lions' Campbell third in NFL Coach of the Year poll

In Las Vegas, Dan Campbell, head coach of the Detroit Lions, achieved a commendable feat by leading his team to their best record in over thirty years. However, despite his remarkable accomplishments, he fell short in the NFL Coach of the Year voting, finishing third behind Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns and DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans. The announcement came during the NFL Honors show at Super Bowl 58.

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Tight Competition in Coach of the Year Voting

Stefanski and Ryans ended up with identical vote point totals of 165.
Stefanski secured the honor with 21 first-place votes, while Ryans garnered 20.
Campbell managed to secure only three first-place votes in the highly contested race.
Other notable contenders for the award included Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens.

Stefanski and Ryans garnered equal vote point totals, both tallying 165 points. However, Stefanski secured the honor with 21 first-place votes, while Ryans trailed closely behind with 20. Campbell, on the other hand, received only three first-place votes. Other notable finalists for the award included Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens.

Despite missing out on the top coaching accolade, the Lions still had reason to celebrate as rookies Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs finished third and fourth, respectively, in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. Additionally, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was a finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year, an honor ultimately bestowed upon Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, a former head coach of the Lions.

During his third season with the Lions, Campbell orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the team, guiding them to their first division title since 1993 and their first playoff victory since 1991. The Lions made an impressive postseason run, defeating the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before succumbing to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game.

Campbell’s leadership qualities and coaching prowess have earned him admiration from players and peers alike. Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow praised Campbell for his transparency, authenticity, and passion, highlighting him as one of the best leaders he has encountered in his career. Under Campbell’s guidance, the Lions have seen significant improvement, winning 20 of their last 27 regular-season games and clinching their first playoff berth since 2016.

While Campbell’s achievements are noteworthy, he faced stiff competition from Stefanski and Ryans, who also enjoyed successful seasons with their respective teams. Stefanski led the Browns to an 11-6 record and a wild card berth, overcoming challenges such as quarterback injuries and personnel changes. Similarly, Ryans guided the Texans to a 10-7 record and their first playoff appearance since 2019, defying expectations and securing a wild card playoff win against the Browns.

Despite Campbell’s third-place finish in the Coach of the Year voting, his impact on the Lions’ resurgence cannot be understated. His leadership, creativity, and commitment to excellence have transformed the team into legitimate contenders, revitalizing a franchise that was once mired in mediocrity. While the Coach of the Year award eluded him this season, Campbell’s contributions have laid a solid foundation for future success, earning him admiration and respect throughout the league.

It’s worth noting that the Coach of the Year voting does not include playoff performances, leaving Campbell’s postseason achievements unaccounted for in the final tally. Nonetheless, his influence on the Lions’ remarkable turnaround and his ability to inspire and motivate his players make him a deserving candidate for recognition and praise. As the Lions continue their journey towards championship contention, Campbell’s leadership will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the team’s future success.