Being an NFL head coach is far more than a job — it’s a nonstop lifestyle defined by long hours, physical exhaustion, and mental strain. And according to Holly Campbell, the wife of Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, the grind behind the scenes is even more intense than fans might realize.

Appearing recently on the Sunday Sports Club podcast, Holly gave an unfiltered look at the daily demands placed on her husband during the NFL season, offering insight into the sacrifice behind Detroit’s “grit” culture.

Dan Campbell Grades His Own 2025 Performance Amid Coaching Exhaustion

Holly explained that while fans often see the emotional fire and toughness Dan Campbell brings to the sideline, the true toll is mental.

“As a coach, you don’t necessarily see that physical toll, but you see the mental toll, because they’re exhausted,” Holly said, via Lions OnSI.

She revealed that Campbell has a small bed hidden inside a closet at the Allen Park Performance Center, complete with a twin mattress pushed against the wall — a stark symbol of the demanding hours he keeps.

“It’s like kind of shoved in the back. It’s very depressing. But it’s dark,” she added.

Yes, Dan Campbell literally sleeps at the Lions facility during certain stretches of the season.

Lions Head Coach Sleeps at Team Facility During Marathon Workweeks

According to Holly, there are weeks when Campbell barely comes home at all.

“There’s nights he’ll spend the night,” she said, noting concerns about fatigue and the 40-minute drive back home after long days.

“He doesn’t like to stay there, but there are some weeks that he’ll stay two or three nights,” Holly explained. “Other weeks, he doesn’t stay there at all. It just depends on how it’s going.”

Short weeks — especially Thursday Night Football — intensify the workload, forcing coaches to simultaneously review the previous game and prepare for the next opponent in a compressed timeframe.

Dan Campbell Leaves for Work at 3:30 A.M. During Short Weeks

Holly shared a moment that perfectly captures the extreme nature of Campbell’s schedule.

During one short week, his alarm went off at 3:30 a.m. — and he immediately left for work.

“Not like he rolled over and hit snooze,” she said. “He got out of bed, and then I heard the garage chime… He literally left the house to go to work at 3:30 in the morning. It’s not even morning.”

Inside the Grit Culture Defining the Detroit Lions

Now entering his sixth season as Detroit Lions head coach, Dan Campbell’s relentless work ethic is clearly woven into every aspect of the organization — from late-night film sessions to early-morning game prep, even extending to a makeshift sleeping space inside the team facility.

For Lions fans, Holly Campbell’s comments serve as a powerful reminder:

The grit culture in Detroit isn’t a catchphrase. It’s a way of life.

Drafted with AI assistance, edited and fact-checked by DSN staff.