Dan Campbell, the head coach of the Detroit Lions, has become a central figure in the team’s resurgence in recent years. The Lions have gone from one of the NFL’s most underperforming franchises to a playoff contender under Campbell’s leadership. A major part of this turnaround can be credited to Campbell’s coaching staff, particularly offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Both Johnson and Glenn have garnered significant attention from NFL teams looking for their next head coach, and it’s widely believed that both have the potential to secure such roles in the near future.
As the Lions’ success continues, there is an inevitable question: what would the team do if Johnson or Glenn were offered head coach positions elsewhere? In a recent press conference, Dan Campbell revealed his thoughts on the matter, outlining his plans for the team should such opportunities arise. His comments highlighted his confidence in the coaching staff, his understanding of the business side of the NFL, and his commitment to keeping the Lions on a path to success regardless of any changes that may occur.
The Importance of Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to the Lions’ Success
Before delving into Campbell’s plans for potential departures, it’s essential to understand just how crucial both Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn are to the Detroit Lions’ success.
Ben Johnson, who took over as the offensive coordinator in 2022, has been instrumental in turning the Lions’ offense into one of the league’s most explosive units. Johnson has an impressive ability to design creative schemes that maximize the talent at his disposal. Under his leadership, quarterback Jared Goff has returned to form as one of the NFL’s more efficient and productive quarterbacks, while the team’s offensive line has become one of the league’s best. The Lions’ ability to put up points, especially in high-pressure situations, has helped solidify their position as a playoff contender.
Aaron Glenn, on the other hand, has been tasked with leading the Lions’ defense, which was one of the weakest units in the NFL prior to his arrival. Glenn, a former NFL cornerback, has made a significant impact on the team’s defense, developing a young group of players into a formidable unit. The defense has become far more aggressive and opportunistic, and Glenn’s ability to adapt to the strengths and weaknesses of his personnel has been crucial to the team’s overall success.
Both coaches have been critical to the Lions’ resurgence, and their potential departures could leave significant voids in the coaching staff. However, Campbell is not overly concerned.
Dan Campbell’s Confidence in His Coaching Staff
In his recent interview, Dan Campbell expressed confidence that the Lions would be able to weather any storm that came their way, including the possible departure of key members of the coaching staff. He emphasized that while losing Johnson or Glenn would undoubtedly be a challenge, the team has built a solid foundation, and the organizational culture under his leadership is one that prioritizes resilience and adaptability.
Campbell spoke about his trust in the front office and general manager Brad Holmes, who he believes would work quickly to find suitable replacements if necessary. The Lions have cultivated a culture of excellence across all areas of the organization, and Campbell believes that even if one or both coordinators were to leave, the team’s structure would allow them to continue to compete at a high level.
“Look, I get it,” Campbell said. “Both Ben and Aaron have done incredible jobs, and they deserve any opportunities that come their way. But I also know the type of people we have in this building. We’ve got a team-first mentality, and that’s not going to change just because one or two guys leave. We’ll find a way to keep this thing rolling.”
Preparing for the Possibility of Losing Coordinators
Campbell is not taking the potential departure of his coordinators lightly, and he has already begun making preparations for that eventuality. One of the key aspects of his plan revolves around developing internal candidates who could step up to fill any potential gaps in the coaching staff.
For instance, the Lions have several assistants who have been groomed to take on larger roles should the need arise. Among them is passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, who has worked closely with Ben Johnson and could be a potential candidate to step into the offensive coordinator role if Johnson were to leave. On the defensive side, Lions secondary coach and former NFL defensive back Dre Bly has been mentioned as a potential successor to Glenn, given his familiarity with the team’s defensive philosophy and his strong rapport with the players.
Additionally, Campbell mentioned that he would not hesitate to bring in external candidates if necessary. The Lions have built a solid reputation as an up-and-coming team, which could make them an attractive landing spot for high-level coaching talent. Campbell’s willingness to explore all options for the betterment of the team was evident in his comments.
“I’m always thinking about what’s next. It’s part of the job,” Campbell explained. “But I’m also a firm believer that continuity matters. If we can keep things in-house and promote from within, we’ll do that. But if not, we’ll go out and find the best possible candidates. We have a great foundation here, and that’s the most important thing.”
A Team-Oriented Culture
One of the most significant aspects of Campbell’s leadership style is his focus on creating a team-oriented culture that goes beyond individual roles. He has consistently emphasized that the Lions’ success is a collective effort, with everyone from the players to the coaching staff to the front office contributing to the team’s progress. This philosophy has helped create an environment where the departure of a key individual, while challenging, is not seen as a catastrophe.
“I think the biggest thing is that we’ve built something here that’s bigger than any one person,” Campbell said. “If we lose someone, we’ll adjust, we’ll adapt, and we’ll keep moving forward. This organization is about the collective, not just the individuals.”
This mindset has been evident in the way the Lions have handled player development and roster construction. Campbell has worked closely with Holmes to ensure that the team is not overly reliant on any single player or coach. Instead, the Lions have focused on building depth across the roster and coaching staff, which should help them remain competitive even if one of their key figures moves on.
Dan Campbell’s Long-Term Vision for the Lions
At the core of Campbell’s strategy is a long-term vision for the Detroit Lions. He has always been focused on creating sustainable success for the franchise, rather than chasing short-term wins. This is reflected in his comments about how the team would respond to the potential loss of Johnson or Glenn.
“Look, I don’t want to lose either of those guys,” Campbell acknowledged. “But I’m also not going to let that derail what we’re building here. We’ve got a strong foundation, and we’re going to keep pushing forward. This team is bigger than any one person, and we’re building something that will last.”
Campbell’s comments also reflected a sense of perspective. He understands that the NFL is a business, and coaches will inevitably be courted for head coaching positions if they are successful. He has no ill will toward Johnson or Glenn if they decide to take the next step in their careers. In fact, he said he would be thrilled for them to have the opportunity to become head coaches.
“I want to see Ben and Aaron do well,” Campbell said. “If they get the chance to be head coaches, I’ll be the first one to congratulate them. It’s a reflection of the work they’ve put in here, and I think they both deserve it. But no matter what, we’re going to keep this thing going. We’ve got a lot of good people here, and we’ve built something strong. We’re not just a one-year wonder. This is a sustainable, long-term thing.”
