Dan Campbell Now Just 28 Wins Away From Passing Wayne Fontes As Detroit Lions’ All-Time Winningest Head Coach In History

Dan Campbell may still wear a baseball cap and talk like a linebacker, but behind the gritty exterior is a coach rewriting Detroit Lions history. After decades of frustration, false dawns, and coaching carousel heartbreaks, Campbell has brought something back to Detroit that’s felt out of place for far too long: belief. And now, with just 28 more wins, he stands on the precipice of becoming the most successful head coach in the history of the franchise.

That record currently belongs to Wayne Fontes, who won 66 games from 1988 to 1996 — an era that included Barry Sanders’ peak, the 1991 NFC Championship appearance, and more “close-but-not-quite” moments. Campbell, now at 39 wins entering the 2025 season, has already surpassed the likes of Jim Caldwell, Buddy Parker, and even Joe Schmidt, setting the tone for a new age of Lions football.

It’s not just about numbers. Campbell’s Lions are winning in a way that has captured the imagination of the entire league. This isn’t a flash-in-the-pan operation. It’s a long-haul rebuild turned legit contender, powered by a ferocious offensive line, a gritty culture, and a coach who talks about “biting kneecaps” — and then actually builds a team capable of doing it.

The road to 67 wins, of course, will not be easy. Detroit plays in a competitive NFC North and will face a brutal 2025 schedule that includes clashes against the 49ers, Cowboys, and Eagles. But if recent seasons are any indication, Campbell isn’t interested in easy.

Since taking over in 2021, Campbell has done something few believed possible: he’s flipped the Lions’ identity. In his first season, Detroit went just 3–13–1, but those early losses were met with a surprising amount of optimism. Why? Because the team fought — every single game. They played with urgency, with effort, and with a level of unity that suggested something bigger was forming.

By Year 2, the Lions jumped to 9–8, narrowly missing the playoffs but winning over critics across the country with their fearless play style. In Year 3, Campbell’s crew finally broke through — going 12–5, capturing the NFC North title, and reaching the NFC Championship Game for just the second time in franchise history. And though they fell to the 49ers in that game, it marked a turning point not just for the team, but for Campbell’s legacy.

Statistically, Campbell’s win percentage has steadily climbed. His current .542 winning rate puts him among the most efficient coaches in Lions history, and if he keeps the team on pace for double-digit wins annually, it’s conceivable he could break Fontes’ record as early as 2027.

Players credit Campbell’s authenticity and consistency. Jared Goff, who has seen a career resurgence under Campbell’s leadership, has repeatedly said that his head coach’s honesty — whether praising or critiquing — makes him a player’s coach in the truest sense.

“Dan tells it like it is,” Goff said. “He holds us accountable, but you always know he’s in the trenches with you. That’s rare.”

Amon-Ra St. Brown, now one of the NFL’s elite receivers, has credited Campbell’s trust and vision as a major part of his own development.

“He believed in me early,” St. Brown said. “He lets guys grow. He doesn’t try to micromanage. He creates space for you to be great — and that makes you want to run through a wall for him.”

The same goes for the defense. Aaron Glenn, Detroit’s defensive coordinator and one of Campbell’s closest allies, has helped shape a unit that now hits with force and discipline. The Lions aren’t just winning games; they’re earning respect. Campbell’s philosophy — physicality, resilience, and relentless execution — permeates every part of the organization.

Even general manager Brad Holmes has become a perfect complement to Campbell’s vision. The two work in lockstep, with Holmes providing the talent and Campbell shaping the culture. Together, they’ve built a roster loaded with rising stars — from Penei Sewell to Brian Branch, Jahmyr Gibbs to Aidan Hutchinson. And that youth movement could sustain Campbell’s climb up the coaching ranks for years to come.

But records are funny things in the NFL. They often sneak up or slip away based on one or two bounces of the football. For Campbell to reach 67 wins — and surpass Fontes — Detroit must continue its current trajectory.

If Campbell were to average 10 wins per year over the next three seasons, he would become the Lions’ all-time leader in victories by the end of the 2027 season. If Detroit continues performing at a high level — which seems likely given their mix of talent and coaching — it’s entirely possible he hits that milestone even sooner.

For a franchise as historically snakebitten as the Lions, that sort of consistency is rare — and precious.

Consider this: Before Campbell, the Lions hadn’t had a coach with three consecutive non-losing seasons since the 1990s. They hadn’t won a playoff game since 1991. They hadn’t won a division title since the Barry Sanders era. Campbell has already ended some of those droughts. He’s on track to erase more.

What’s most compelling about Campbell’s impending record, though, is that he’s not chasing it. If you ask him about Wayne Fontes, he’ll smile. If you mention legacy, he’ll deflect. His obsession lies not in statues or records, but in results — week to week, rep to rep.

“I’m not thinking about wins in that way,” Campbell said this offseason. “I’m thinking about how to win today. How to be better than we were yesterday. That’s all that matters.”

Still, history will eventually catch up to him — and so will the accolades. Already, Campbell has drawn praise from his peers, with coaches like Mike Tomlin, Sean McVay, and Andy Reid acknowledging the job he’s done in transforming a long-suffering franchise into a true threat.

Even Lions legends like Calvin Johnson and Barry Sanders have thrown their support behind him. Sanders, notoriously soft-spoken, said during a recent appearance, “This is the most hope I’ve seen in Detroit in 30 years. Dan Campbell’s the reason.”

Campbell himself, a former tight end who once wore Honolulu blue, understands what coaching in Detroit means. He played during lean years. He knows the expectations. He knows the pain.

And perhaps that’s what makes this rise so powerful. Campbell isn’t some outsider chasing glory — he’s one of them. A Lion. Through and through.

As the 2025 season begins, Campbell isn’t thinking about 28 wins. He’s thinking about Week 1. About getting back to the NFC Championship — and finishing the job this time.

But the fans? They’re counting. They know what’s at stake. They know they’re watching something rare: a Lions coach not only leading with fire but chasing franchise history — and doing it the right way.

If Dan Campbell wins 28 more games, he’ll become the winningest coach in Detroit Lions history.

But ask anyone in the Motor City — and they’ll tell you, he’s already the most beloved.