We already got a player’s perspective, but Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard revealed what head coach Dan Campbell is like in Combine interviews.
During his podium session at the NFL Combine, Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta revealed how his interview with the Detroit Lions went. More specifically, how head coach Dan Campbell conducts himself.
(Campbell) had a big chaw in as soon as I walked in, and that was a firm handshake for sure,” LaPorta said with a smile.
Lions linebacker coach Kelvin Sheppard recently spoke with Dannie Rogers of the team website. He talked about what Campbell does during player interviews at the Combine.
Dan kind of sits back, to be honest,” Sheppard told Rogers. Rogers hinted that may be more intimidating for a prospect than anything else.
Then out of nowhere he’ll get out of his seat and go up to the screen and be like, ‘alright, well tell me this — this guy goes here (gestures one direction) and that guy goes there, what are you going to do?”
Sheppard added he wants players to know “don’t get nervous. Dan is one of us.”
Lions head coach Dan Campbell will do things his way, no matter what
Campbell has leaned into his being a former NFL player, assembling a staff filled with former players who can relate to players in (at least ideally) a better way. He does not have time for extra crap, for lack of better term, he wants to get to work and figure things out.
So his approach to player interviews at the NFL Combine is not surprising. He’s not going to ask ridiculous questions that have nothing to with football or preparing to be a football player, and he won’t tolerate it if anyone else from the organization who is in the room does.
Now, for curiosity more than controversy, all we need is a video showing Campbell’s demeanor in a Combine interview.