Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lions' Dan Campbell pulled out amazing ‘Anchorman’ analogy

By Jeff Smith | Last updated Jun 8, 2024 9:11 AM ET

Lions head coach Dan Campbell's powerful speeches and incredible analogies made waves when the team was featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks."

Campbell was back at it this week while discussing Detroit's 2024 season outlook. The fifth-year head coach (including one season with an interim role for the Miami Dolphins) explained how the Lions need to take it up a notch this season while explaining it with an "Anchorman" analogy, citing Ron Burgundy.

“We can’t do the Ron Burgundy. We can’t just continue to read off the teleprompter," Campbell said via WXYZ Detroit's Jeanna Trotman.

Dan Campbell says the Lions need to take it up another notch this season, including game awareness and doing more than what your responsibility is on paper. And he gave a Campbell-esque analogy.

“We can’t do the Ron Burgundy. We can’t just continue to read off the teleprompter.” pic.twitter.com/Y6pDQtnmMp
— Jeanna Trotman (@JeannaTrotmanTV) June 6, 2024

Campbell's analogy wasn't surprising, but it was perfectly timed and, as always, pure enjoyment for fans.

Campbell is in his third year as Lions' head coach. After a first season in which the team went 3-13-1, they've been north of the .500 mark in the past two years, going 9-8 in 2022 and narrowly missing the playoffs.

But 2023 marked the franchise's best year since 1991, as they went 12-5 and made it to the NFC Championship Game, where they lost a close game to the San Francisco 49ers.

The Lions' turnaround under Campbell has been incredible. Detroit went 14-33-1 in the three seasons before he took over and hadn't made the playoffs since 2016. They'll now look to build on their impressive NFC Championship run and set their sights on a trip to the Super Bowl.

Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith has extensive experience as a sports writer and editor, including stops at ESPN, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, USA TODAY SMG, and Heavy. Jeff's passion for sports content starts and finishes with writing and he's grateful to be able to work in that field on a daily basis.

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