Dan Campbell will return to the NFL head-coaching ranks with the Lions. © Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Lions hire Dan Campbell as next head coach on six-year deal

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 1/20/21

The Detroit Lions appear to have hired their next head coach.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Lions and New Orleans Saints assistant head coach and tight ends coach Dan Campbell have agreed to a six-year head-coaching deal.

It’s a 6-year deal for Dan Campbell and the #Lions. A big commitment. https://t.co/m3rfw8PFkw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 20, 2021

Campbell has served as assistant head coach and tight ends coach in New Orleans since 2016. Before joining the Saints, the 44-year-old spent several seasons with the Miami Dolphins from 2010-15 as a coaching intern, tight ends coach and later interim head coach.

He went 5-7 with the Dolphins after taking over for Joe Philbin following Week 4.

Detroit fired Matt Patricia after a 4-7 start to the 2020 season. The Lions also fired general manager Bob Quinn at the same time.

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90.

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