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4 days ago
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Dan Campbell on Those Doubting Lions' Coaching: 'Anything Negative Motivates Me'
A "raid" is defined by what happened to Dan Campbell's coaching staff last winter, as the Detroit Lions head coach lost both of his coordinators – Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn – to head-coaching positions, and several other assistant coaches who followed them. To boot, this came after the Lions claimed the No. 1 seed in the NFC at 15-2 but then lost to the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round. However, any doubt over whether Campbell and the Lions can overcome these changes is just more fuel for the head coach. "It's not hard for me to find things that can drive you. That's how I was as a player, that's how I am as a coach. I'll pull anything negative because it motivates me," Campbell said in an interview with WXYZ-TV Detroit. "So I would be lying if I said, 'No, that doesn't get me going a little bit.' That's the next challenge." Outside of losing both coordinators, Detroit lost passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand, assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett, tight ends coach Steve Heiden, wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and defensive line coach Terrell Williams. Last season, Detroit was first in the NFL in points (33.2 per game) and second in total yards (409.5 per game). On the playcalling front, former Lions senior offensive assistant John Morton is returning to Detroit to be the team's offensive coordinator, while four-year linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard was promoted to defensive coordinator. "If I really did this right, I should be able to just leave and these guys don't miss a beat. If you really do your job, that can happen," Campbell said. Across Campbell's four seasons at the helm (2021-24), the Lions are 39-28-1 in the regular season and 2-2 in the postseason, including back-to-back NFC North division titles (2023-24). Detroit opens the 2025 regular season on the road against the NFC North-rival Green Bay Packers on Sept. 7. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Fox Sports
4 days ago
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- Fox Sports
Dan Campbell on Those Doubting Lions' Coaching: 'Anything Negative Motivates Me'
National Football League Dan Campbell on Those Doubting Lions' Coaching: 'Anything Negative Motivates Me' Published Aug. 13, 2025 11:05 a.m. ET share facebook x reddit link A "raid" is defined by what happened to Dan Campbell's coaching staff last winter, as the Detroit Lions head coach lost both of his coordinators – Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn – to head-coaching positions, and several other assistant coaches who followed them. To boot, this came after the Lions claimed the No. 1 seed in the NFC at 15-2 but then lost to the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round. However, any doubt over whether Campbell and the Lions can overcome these changes is just more fuel for the head coach. "It's not hard for me to find things that can drive you. That's how I was as a player, that's how I am as a coach. I'll pull anything negative because it motivates me," Campbell said in an interview with WXYZ-TV Detroit. "So I would be lying if I said, 'No, that doesn't get me going a little bit.' That's the next challenge." Outside of losing both coordinators, Detroit lost passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand, assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett, tight ends coach Steve Heiden, wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and defensive line coach Terrell Williams. Last season, Detroit was first in the NFL in points (33.2 per game) and second in total yards (409.5 per game). On the playcalling front, former Lions senior offensive assistant John Morton is returning to Detroit to be the team's offensive coordinator, while four-year linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard was promoted to defensive coordinator. ADVERTISEMENT "If I really did this right, I should be able to just leave and these guys don't miss a beat. If you really do your job, that can happen," Campbell said. Across Campbell's four seasons at the helm (2021-24), the Lions are 39-28-1 in the regular season and 2-2 in the postseason, including back-to-back NFC North division titles (2023-24). Detroit opens the 2025 regular season on the road against the NFC North-rival Green Bay Packers on Sept. 7. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Football League Detroit Lions share
Fox Sports
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Lions GM Brad Holmes: Isaac TeSlaa 'was my favorite WR in 2025 NFL Draft'
The Detroit Lions made a bold move in the 2025 NFL Draft, trading pick No. 102 and both of their 2026 third-round picks to the Jacksonville Jaguars for picks No. 70, 182 and a fixture sixth-rounder to select Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. What stands out about TeSlaa to Lions general manager Brad Holmes? "The pick that was probably the most questioned, I would say, was Isaac TeSlaa. I can say that he was my favorite wide receiver in this draft," Holmes said in an interview with 97.1 The Ticket on Tuesday. "I'm not saying he was the best wide receiver in the draft, but favorite wide receiver in the draft, yes." Why did Holmes execute a trade-up for TeSlaa? "When you look at the past two or three drafts, including this one, it has not been the same depth of talent," Holmes said. "So this year, last year, the year before, you don't find an Alim McNeill in the third round, you don't find an Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth. Those guys just aren't there as of recent. … "If we stay here [at No. 102], we're going to be dealing with a different level of player, based on our board. Not on the 31 other boards, but based on our board." TeSlaa, who played quarterback in high school, played three seasons at Division II Hillsdale (2020-22) before transferring to play for Arkansas. Last season (2024), he totaled 28 receptions for 545 yards (19.5 yards per reception) and three touchdowns. Across his two seasons with the Razorbacks, TeSlaa averaged 31 receptions for 448 yards (14.5 yards per reception) and three touchdowns per year and wasn't credited for a single dropped pass. TeSlaa joins a Lions wide receiver room that includes St. Brown, a two-time All-Pro, and Jameson Williams, who totaled 1,001 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 17.3 yards per reception last season. This group will be coached by a new offensive coordinator in former Denver Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton, as Ben Johnson left Detroit to become the new head coach of the NFC North-rival Chicago Bears. As for the rest of the draft, Detroit primarily addressed the trenches on both sides of the ball. At pick No. 28, the Lions selected Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. Then, on Day 2, they drafted Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge at pick No. 57 before trading up for TeSlaa (No. 70). On Day 3, the Lions added LSU guard Miles Frazier (No. 171), Boise State defensive end Ahmed Hassanein (No. 196), Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson (No. 230) and Georgia wide receiver Dominic Lovett (No. 244). TeSlaa grew up in Hudsonville, Michigan, which is located roughly two-and-a-half hours west of Detroit. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Football League Detroit Lions Isaac TeSlaa recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
