As the NFL Coach of the Year race came to a close, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell received significant recognition for leading his team to a franchise-record 15 wins during the 2024 season. However, despite his stellar performance, Campbell did not secure the top honor. Here’s a breakdown of how the votes went and who supported Campbell.
Dan Campbell’s Votes
Campbell finished second in the voting, receiving 19 first-place votes, 10 second-place votes, and 8 third-place votes. The Lions head coach earned praise from a wide array of NFL media professionals, reflecting his impact on the Lions’ success and development. However, he fell short of securing the top spot, as the Minnesota Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell claimed the honor.
Voting Breakdown
| Voter | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | 4th Place | 5th Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Kirwan | Dan Campbell | Sean McDermott | Kevin O’Connell | Andy Reid | Dan Quinn |
| Tom Silverstein | Dan Campbell | Kevin O’Connell | Dan Quinn | Sean McVay | Mike Tomlin |
| Mike Sando | Kevin O’Connell | Dan Campbell | Andy Reid | Matt LaFleur | Sean McDermott |
| Mike Jones | Kevin O’Connell | Dan Quinn | Dan Campbell | Matt LaFleur | Nick Sirianni |
| Doug Farrar | Dan Campbell | Kevin O’Connell | Andy Reid | Sean McDermott | Jim Harbaugh |
| Armando Salguero | Kevin O’Connell | Andy Reid | Dan Campbell | Sean McDermott | Dan Quinn |
| Nate Davis | Dan Campbell | Kevin O’Connell | Dan Quinn | Sean Payton | Jim Harbaugh |
| Charean Williams | Dan Campbell | Kevin O’Connell | Sean Payton | Jim Harbaugh | Dan Quinn |
| Rich Gannon | Kevin O’Connell | Dan Campbell | Andy Reid | Dan Quinn | Jim Harbaugh |
| Lindsay Jones | Kevin O’Connell | Dan Campbell | Sean Payton | Mike Tomlin | Jim Harbaugh |
| Mark Craig | Kevin O’Connell | Dan Quinn | Dan Campbell | Andy Reid | Sean Payton |
| Jarrett Bell | Dan Campbell | Kevin O’Connell | Dan Quinn | Jim Harbaugh | Andy Reid |
| Chris Simms | Andy Reid | Sean Payton | Kevin O’Connell | Dan Campbell | Jim Harbaugh |
| Laura Okmin | Dan Quinn | Dan Campbell | Kevin O’Connell | Jim Harbaugh | Sean McDermott |
| Dan Pompei | Dan Campbell | Kevin O’Connell | Jim Harbaugh | Sean Payton | Dan Quinn |
The Top Vote-Getters
Kevin O’Connell emerged victorious in the voting with 25 first-place votes, while Campbell received 19. The Minnesota Vikings’ success, particularly after a surprising season with quarterback Sam Darnold, earned O’Connell significant praise.
Despite the Lions’ strong performance, it was O’Connell’s ability to guide the Vikings to 14 wins when they were predicted to finish in last place that won him the honor. That said, when the Lions and Vikings played head to head, the Lions won BOTH games!
Bottom Line
Dan Campbell’s impressive turnaround of the Detroit Lions was recognized by many, but he fell just short of the ultimate accolade in 2024. His leadership helped lead the Lions to a No. 1 seed in the NFC and a franchise-record 15 wins, but it was Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings who clinched the award. Regardless, Campbell’s future with the Lions looks brighter than ever, and his role in the team’s success is undeniable.
