Before the Detroit Lions officially hired Dan Campbell to lead their franchise rebuild, a surprising coaching twist reportedly came very close to changing NFL history.

According to an ESPN feature on current Penn State head coach Matt Campbell, the longtime Iowa State coach initially agreed in principle to become the Lions’ head coach in 2021. However, he ultimately changed his mind and decided not to take the job, opening the door for Detroit to move in a different direction.

The report highlights Campbell’s history of turning down major coaching opportunities, including interest from elite college programs such as Texas and USC. But his near move to the NFL with the Lions stands out as one of the closest he came to leaving college football at the time.

Instead, after Matt Campbell backed out, the Lions quickly shifted their focus and hired Dan Campbell.

The decision proved to be a turning point for the franchise. Under Dan Campbell, Detroit has developed a strong identity built on toughness, culture, and consistency. The Lions have since become one of the NFL’s rising teams, winning consecutive NFC North titles and earning respect as legitimate contenders.

Meanwhile, Matt Campbell remained at Iowa State for several more seasons before eventually becoming the head coach at Penn State following the 2025 college football season. He later admitted that leaving Iowa State was not something he strongly desired at the time.

The revelation creates a fascinating “what could have been” moment for both the NFL and college football, as two programs ultimately benefited from the coaching decisions made in 2021.