When you win 15 games in a season as a head coach and earn the conference’s top seed, more often than not you’re going to be in contention for Coach of the Year. Sure enough, that is the case this season with Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
Campbell is among five finalists for this season’s award, as announced by the NFL Thursday.
The full list of finalists include:
- Lions HC Dan Campbell
- Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell
- Broncos HC Sean Payton
- Commanders HC Dan Quinn
- Chiefs HC Andy Reid
Campbell is considered a favorite for this award due to his team not faltering throughout the season despite a plethora of injuries, including to star edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson back in Week 6. The Lions survived a duel with the Vikings that came down to the final game of the regular season to decide the division champion and the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
That game may have also decided this award between Campbell and O’Connell. Votes have already been cast, so the Lions’ early exit from the playoffs won’t be factored into the equation.
The winner will be announced at NFL Honors on Thursday, February 6 during Super Bowl LIX week in New Orleans.
