Dan Campbell

Early years

Campbell was born in Clifton, Texas and attended Glen Rose High School, where he was a tailback. As a senior, he recorded 27 receptions for 423 yards and five touchdowns.

He played college football at Texas A&M. As a senior, he shared tight end duties, starting games at the "B" slot, flanker and split end, recording 12 receptions for 143 yards (11.9 avg.) and two touchdowns.

New York Giants

Campbell was selected by the New York Giants in the third round (79th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. In 2000, he became the team's starting tight end and was mainly used as a blocking tight end. He was a part of the team that appeared in Super Bowl XXXV.

Dallas Cowboys

Campbell was one of the first free agents to sign with the Dallas Cowboys after Bill Parcells was named the head coach in 2003. He quickly became a team leader and although Jason Witten emerged as the main tight end, he still served as a mentor and remained a key blocker on the offensive line.

In the 2004 season, he only played in three games because of torn ligaments in his foot and was placed on injured reserve list on September 30. The next year, he recovered from an appendectomy on July 27, missing only 10 days of practice and returned to start all four preseason games. The team employed two-tight end sets, which allowed him to start 12 games.

Detroit Lions

On March 14, 2006, Campbell was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Lions. Known mostly as a blocking tight end, he posted career-highs in receiving yards (308), average per reception (14.7 avg), long reception (30 yards), and touchdowns (four) (the most by a Lions tight end since 2001).

On September 22, 2007, he was placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury. On September 9, 2008, he was again placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He was released on February 9, 2009.

New Orleans Saints

On February 26, 2009, he signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints reuniting with head coach Sean Payton who was his offensive coordinator with the Cowboys. On August 10, he was placed on injured reserve with an MCL injury he suffered in training camp. He was still able to receive his first Super Bowl ring from the Saints' victory over the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV, and retired at the end of the year.

Coaching career

Campbell was the tight ends coach with the Miami Dolphins until he took over as the interim head coach when Joe Philbin was fired on October 5, 2015. Owner Stephen M. Ross stated "The grit that Dan possesses will do wonders in that locker room." The situation was a bit more complex for Campbell as he basically had to convince team owner Stephen Ross and vice president Mike Tannenbaum to keep him on as head coach. Campbell's competence and popularity with the team lead to two wins, and Campbell was able to take over Philbin's staff and roster with immediate effect, largely because of his familiarity. However a decisive defeat to the New England Patriots in late October had the sobering effect of stalling the momentum Campbell had built with those first two wins. Moreover, the Dolphins star defensive end, Cameron Wake tore his Achilles tendon, effectively sidelining him for the rest of the season. Although the Dolphins were improved under Campbell, with quarterback Ryan Tannehill and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh both showing significant improvement; overall team performance was only nominally improved. It can be argued that Campbell can't be judged as a head coach on the basis of inheriting a roster, staff and an offensive and defensive system from Philbin. Campbell has yet to build his own program, but there is evidence, in his ability to win games and inspire his players, that he could be viable in a head coaching position where he is able to build out a staff, roster and playbook, like any coach who gains his position in a more traditional manner.

After leaving the Dolphins in January 2016, Campbell was hired by the Saints as the assistant head coach and tight ends coach.

Head coaching record

*Interim head coach

Coaching tree

NFL head coaches under whom Campbell has served: