The Detroit Lions have hired the man that they hope will guide the franchise to respectability.
The NFL team confirmed Wednesday morning that it had agreed to terms with Dan Campbell to be its new head coach. Terms of the agreement were not announced by the Lions, but Detroit station WXYZ reported that it is a six-year deal.
Lions principal owner Sheila Ford Hamp said the team was drawn to Campbell's experience as both an NFL player and a coach.
"With more than 20 years of experience as both a coach and player in the National Football League, Dan knows the rigors of professional football and what it takes to be successful," said Hamp in a statement. "He will help promote the culture we want to establish across our organization, while also bringing with him high energy, a respect for the game and an identity with which everyone can align themselves."
Campbell replaces Matt Patricia, who was fired during the season. Interim head coach Darrell Bevell finished the season 1-4 and remains listed on the Lions' website as offensive coordinator.
This will be Campbell's second stint as an NFL head coach. He coached 12 games in 2015 for the Miami Dolphins after the firing of Joe Philbin, posting a 5-7 record.
Campbell's most recent coaching job was with the New Orleans Saints, where he coached tight ends and was assistant head coach under Sean Payton.
He played college ball for Texas A&M, then entered the NFL for 11 seasons, playing for the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Lions, and the Saints. He was part of the Lions team that went 0-16 in 2008.
The announcement comes just days after the team named Brad Holmes its new general manager, replacing Bob Quinn, who was fired this season on the same day as Patricia.
The Lions have yet to schedule a media conference to officially introduce Campbell.