ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Sheila Ford Hamp took a prominent stand in support of general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell when the Detroit Lions were struggling, posting a 4-18-1 record during their early tenure. At that time, there was skepticism regarding whether the Lions had made the right choices in leadership.
In her inaugural year as owner, Hamp entrusted Holmes with his first opportunity to manage an NFL front office and gave Campbell the chance to serve as a full-time head coach. Even with the dismal early results, Hamp remained steadfast in her belief that they were the right fit for the organization. “I think we’ve got the right people in place to pull this off,” she remarked during a press gathering on October 26, 2022.
As the franchise gears up for its inaugural game week as the No. 1 seed in the NFL playoffs, preparing to face Washington in the divisional round, Campbell expressed gratitude for Hamp’s support during that crucial period. “It meant a lot that she was willing to go out there and really put her neck on the line for us because she didn’t have to do that,” Campbell remarked in a recent interview. He added that her backing was a vital morale booster for both him and Holmes, providing them with the motivation to press on.
Following Hamp’s public display of confidence, the Lions faced a setback in their next game, but soon transformed their fortunes, emerging as one of the league’s most formidable teams with a record of 37-10 since Week 9 of the 2022 season, second only to the Kansas City Chiefs. Remarkably, this stretch included winning two playoff games in a single postseason for the first time since capturing the NFL title in 1957.
The Lions celebrated a franchise-best 15 wins last season and achieved back-to-back division titles—an unprecedented feat in their history. Now, they are considered front-runners for the Super Bowl according to BetMGM Sportsbook, a sentiment that reminds many fans of the franchise’s glory days in the 1950s when they were recognized as an NFL powerhouse.
Over the decades, the Lions faced many challenges despite boasting Hall of Famers like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson. The franchise had only secured one playoff victory from 1958 to the 2022 season and infamously became the first team to finish a season 0-16 in 2008, marking a low point just after the dismissal of general manager Matt Millen. Following the passing of former owner William Clay Ford in 2014, his widow Martha led the team until she passed the reins to Sheila Ford Hamp in 2020.
Shortly after taking control, Hamp demonstrated a decisive leadership approach. She released both general manager Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia following their last game of the 2020 season. Within weeks, Hamp appointed Chris Spielman to assist her and the team president in searching for a new general manager and coach, demonstrating her commitment to revitalizing the franchise.
Holmes’ initial significant move as general manager involved facilitating a trade for quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams, bringing Jared Goff to Detroit along with multiple first-round picks. This enabled the Lions to acquire notable talents, including Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta. Holmes’ first draft saw him select offensive tackle Penei Sewell at No. 7 overall, along with receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth round, both of whom recently earned All-Pro honors for the second consecutive year. Campbell praised Holmes as an exceptional evaluator of talent with a strong track record in draft decisions.
While players ultimately determine the outcomes on the field, Sewell emphasized the significant role of both Holmes and Campbell in the team’s revival. “They deserve a lot of credit for the team’s turnaround,” he said.
Campbell captured headlines with his famous line about biting kneecaps but has since gained the respect of his players through his hard work, transparency, and fearless approach to coaching, especially in critical fourth-down situations. He attributes much of the team’s success to Hamp’s authentic and competitive leadership style, appreciating her vision for the franchise.
Quarterback Jared Goff, proudly wearing a NFC North champion shirt after a recent victory, acknowledged the remarkable leadership from Hamp. “Her faith in Dan and Brad was as strong as it gets,” Goff noted. He emphasized that it takes a lot of courage for owners to publicly support their staff during tough times, and Hamp’s decision has positively influenced everyone involved with the franchise.
