Discover Who Did and Didn’t Vote for Dan Campbell as NFL Coach of the Year
By W.G. Brady
As the NFL Coach of the Year race concluded, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell earned widespread recognition for guiding his team to a franchise-best 15 wins during the 2024 season. However, despite his remarkable achievements, he did not claim the top honor. Here’s a breakdown of how the voting played out and who backed Campbell.
Dan Campbell’s Votes
Campbell finished as the runner-up, receiving 19 first-place votes, 10 second-place votes, and 8 third-place votes. His leadership and influence on the Lions’ turnaround were acknowledged by numerous NFL media professionals. Despite this, he was edged out by Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, who secured the award.
Voting Breakdown
The Top Vote-Getters
Kevin O’Connell secured the Coach of the Year award with 25 first-place votes, narrowly surpassing Campbell’s 19. The Vikings’ unexpected success, led by quarterback Sam Darnold, played a crucial role in O’Connell’s win.
Even though the Lions had a dominant season, O’Connell’s ability to lead the Vikings to 14 wins—despite preseason projections placing them last—earned him the edge. However, when the Lions and Vikings faced off, the Lions won both matchups!
Bottom Line
Dan Campbell’s remarkable leadership in revitalizing the Lions was widely acknowledged, yet he fell just short of the top honor in 2024. Under his guidance, Detroit secured the NFC’s No. 1 seed and set a franchise record with 15 wins. Despite O’Connell taking home the award, Campbell’s future with the Lions remains exceptionally bright, and his contributions to the team’s success are unquestionable.