Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, citing a source with knowledge of the Lions head-coaching search, reports that the team never made Iowa State HC Matt Campbell a formal offer, despite the earlier report from CBS Sports.
According to Birkett, the Lions hired their top candidate in the end: Saints assistant HC/TEs coach Dan Campbell.
Birkett adds that the Lions are believed to have spoken with Campbell during their head-coaching search. However, Birkett’s source says Detroit’s conversations with Campbell did not go beyond their first interview.
The Lions reportedly also expressed some interest in Northwestern HC Pat Fitzgerald, but Birkett says it’s not clear if he ever formally interviewed for the Lions’ job.
Earlier in the week, Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports reported that Campbell turned down an eight-year deal worth $68.5 million offer from the Lions to be their head coach earlier this offseason.
“In the offseason, [Campbell] turned down an eight-year, $68.5 million offer from the Lions, — apparently, with full control, I haven’t confirmed that — to stay at Iowa State,” Dodd said, per Chris Hassel. “Now if I’m Matt Campbell’s wife, I’m having some questions. But he sees his upward arch better at Iowa State than, look, the Lions that are annually at disarray. But look — I would take that money and take my chances at disarray for over the next eight years than Iowa State. But if you want to talk about loyalty, he’s the ultimate loyal guy.”
Campbell has drawn interest from the NFL teams in recent years including the Jets. However, he’s opted to remain at Iowa State.
Campbell, 41, began working for Bowling Green State as a graduate assistant back in 2003. He spent a few years at Mount Union as their offensive coordinator/OL coach before returning to Bowling Green in 2007.
Toledo hired Campbell as their run game coordinator for the 2009 season and he eventually worked his way up to head coach before departing for the Iowa State job in 2016.
Iowa State signed Campbell to an extension through 2028 this past February.
During his five years at Iowa State, Campbell has led them to a record of 35-28 (55.6 percent), which includes four straight bowl appearances.
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