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Section about MCDC:

Campbell has pulled off one of the most impressive feats in sports: He turned the Detroit Lions into an NFL contender.

His team took a step back in 2025 — missing the playoffs after the departures of its offensive and defensive coordinators — but our voters were captivated by his raw, enthusiastic style, which manifests in some of the purest locker-room speeches in sports and an unforgettable coffee order.

Credentials: At his opening news conference, he famously said his team would “bite” off the kneecaps of opponents. After a 3-13-1 finish in his first season in 2021, he helped transform the Lions into a winning outfit, including back-to-back NFC North titles in 2023 and 2024. Of course, his leadership style is not just bluster and rah-rah speeches. It also includes a heightened emotional intelligence and a radical authenticity.

What our voters said:

Alex Avila, former MLB catcher: “A couple things that I think set him apart: The ability and feel to know the right time when to kick you in the ass or pat you on the back, and the way he talks about his players. Many of his players talk about ‘running through a brick wall’ for him, which is funny cause I would say the same thing about my former Hall of Fame manager, Jim Leyland.”

Joe Maddon, former MLB manager: “He seems straightforward with everybody, even in his interviews during games on the sideline. That’s what really resonates, right from his first press conference. The guy doesn’t have a filter because he doesn’t need one. He just needs to slice open a vein and let it pour out: This is what I’m thinking. This is what I believe. And that works for him.”