Campbell has pulled off one of the most impressive feats in sports: He turned the Detroit Lions into an NFL contender.
His team took a step back in 2025 — missing the playoffs after the departures of its offensive and defensive coordinators — but our voters were captivated by his raw, enthusiastic style, which manifests in some of the purest locker-room speeches in sports and an unforgettable coffee order.
**Credentials**: At his opening news conference, he famously said his team would “bite” off the kneecaps of opponents. After a 3-13-1 finish in his first season in 2021, he helped transform the Lions into a winning outfit, including back-to-back NFC North titles in 2023 and 2024. Of course, his leadership style is not just bluster and rah-rah speeches. It also includes a heightened emotional intelligence and a radical authenticity.
**What our voters said:**
Alex Avila, former MLB catcher: “A couple things that I think set him apart: The ability and feel to know the right time when to kick you in the ass or pat you on the back, and the way he talks about his players. Many of his players talk about ‘running through a brick wall’ for him, which is funny cause I would say the same thing about my former Hall of Fame manager, Jim Leyland.”
Joe Maddon, former MLB manager: “He seems straightforward with everybody, even in his interviews during games on the sideline. That’s what really resonates, right from his first press conference. The guy doesn’t have a filter because he doesn’t need one. He just needs to slice open a vein and let it pour out: This is what I’m thinking. This is what I believe. And that works for him.”
How on earth did they come up with this list?
Steve Kerr at 1 is an absolute joke.
Steve “broke the code” Kerr. Yeah, okay lol.
Izzo should be higher than 11
Jalen Hurts on here is hilarious considering the drama on that team all year long
Jalen Hurts at 12.
“Sure…sure.”
Not a single soul should be above Tom Izzo
Kinda wild that Emma Hayes is right above DC. I feel like USWNT has kind of lost its pop with the new generation of players. Always good to see the women’s side get its respect, nonetheless.
Terrific accomplishment for all 40 no matter where they placed.
What a weird fucking list
This list is horrible, what?!
Pete Carroll at 13th? What is far worse is Andy Reid at 5th. That man shouldn’t be on this list let alone above Dan Campbell. It’s crazy to me that he is higher than every other NFL-affiliated person on this list.
How is the man that continuously shields players and staff from violent crimes that “admired”? He wasn’t even a good Head Coach this year.
Izzo gotta be in the top 5
> 1. Steve Kerr
Lol
> 6. Sam Presti
Wtf?
> 37. Curt Cignetti
That’s it?
> 12. Jalen Hurts
Lmao
How is Harbaugh grouped in with NYG? He hasn’t signed anything yet.
Some of these made me chuckle
The only other NFC name I see on here is Sean McVay. No Matt Lafleur, No Ben Judas, No 2024 COTY Kevin O’Connell.
Just good Ol’ Motor City Dan Campbell.
What the fuck is a surveyed voice?
Diehard Michigan fan Izzo should be way higher
Their graphic should say “among peers” to be more clear, that this is not attempting to be a general population survey.
Happy to see Emma Hayes mentioned so high. An incredible coach, and awesome human being.
Also Izzo not being in the top 10 imo is hilarious
Steve Kerr? 🤦
Harbaugh is a phenomenal coach, but I don’t think top ten guys get shitcanned
Izzo should be top 3. I’m not biased at all. Cignetti should be much higher. Tomlin just got fired
Where’s gritty? 🧐
No Caitlin Clark anywhere is surprising. I saw little girls dressed up as Caitlin Clark for Halloween. That feels admired to me.
Hmm no Jim Harbaugh, strange
Bro, Izzo needs to be in the top 10. Hes a legend
Steve Kerr at #1 is hilarious considering he blindly defended Draymond in everything he does
32 comments
Full story is here ([paywall](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6945825/2026/01/15/top-leaders-in-sports-2025-most-admired/))
**Section about MCDC:**
Campbell has pulled off one of the most impressive feats in sports: He turned the Detroit Lions into an NFL contender.
His team took a step back in 2025 — missing the playoffs after the departures of its offensive and defensive coordinators — but our voters were captivated by his raw, enthusiastic style, which manifests in some of the purest locker-room speeches in sports and an unforgettable coffee order.
**Credentials**: At his opening news conference, he famously said his team would “bite” off the kneecaps of opponents. After a 3-13-1 finish in his first season in 2021, he helped transform the Lions into a winning outfit, including back-to-back NFC North titles in 2023 and 2024. Of course, his leadership style is not just bluster and rah-rah speeches. It also includes a heightened emotional intelligence and a radical authenticity.
**What our voters said:**
Alex Avila, former MLB catcher: “A couple things that I think set him apart: The ability and feel to know the right time when to kick you in the ass or pat you on the back, and the way he talks about his players. Many of his players talk about ‘running through a brick wall’ for him, which is funny cause I would say the same thing about my former Hall of Fame manager, Jim Leyland.”
Joe Maddon, former MLB manager: “He seems straightforward with everybody, even in his interviews during games on the sideline. That’s what really resonates, right from his first press conference. The guy doesn’t have a filter because he doesn’t need one. He just needs to slice open a vein and let it pour out: This is what I’m thinking. This is what I believe. And that works for him.”
How on earth did they come up with this list?
Steve Kerr at 1 is an absolute joke.
Steve “broke the code” Kerr. Yeah, okay lol.
Izzo should be higher than 11
Jalen Hurts on here is hilarious considering the drama on that team all year long
Jalen Hurts at 12.
“Sure…sure.”
Not a single soul should be above Tom Izzo
Kinda wild that Emma Hayes is right above DC. I feel like USWNT has kind of lost its pop with the new generation of players. Always good to see the women’s side get its respect, nonetheless.
Terrific accomplishment for all 40 no matter where they placed.
What a weird fucking list
This list is horrible, what?!
Pete Carroll at 13th? What is far worse is Andy Reid at 5th. That man shouldn’t be on this list let alone above Dan Campbell. It’s crazy to me that he is higher than every other NFL-affiliated person on this list.
How is the man that continuously shields players and staff from violent crimes that “admired”? He wasn’t even a good Head Coach this year.
Izzo gotta be in the top 5
> 1. Steve Kerr
Lol
> 6. Sam Presti
Wtf?
> 37. Curt Cignetti
That’s it?
> 12. Jalen Hurts
Lmao
How is Harbaugh grouped in with NYG? He hasn’t signed anything yet.
Some of these made me chuckle
The only other NFC name I see on here is Sean McVay. No Matt Lafleur, No Ben Judas, No 2024 COTY Kevin O’Connell.
Just good Ol’ Motor City Dan Campbell.
What the fuck is a surveyed voice?
Diehard Michigan fan Izzo should be way higher
Their graphic should say “among peers” to be more clear, that this is not attempting to be a general population survey.
Happy to see Emma Hayes mentioned so high. An incredible coach, and awesome human being.
Also Izzo not being in the top 10 imo is hilarious
Steve Kerr? 🤦
Harbaugh is a phenomenal coach, but I don’t think top ten guys get shitcanned
Izzo should be top 3. I’m not biased at all. Cignetti should be much higher. Tomlin just got fired
Where’s gritty? 🧐
No Caitlin Clark anywhere is surprising. I saw little girls dressed up as Caitlin Clark for Halloween. That feels admired to me.
Hmm no Jim Harbaugh, strange
Bro, Izzo needs to be in the top 10. Hes a legend
Steve Kerr at #1 is hilarious considering he blindly defended Draymond in everything he does
https://preview.redd.it/dplrms4xirdg1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=66690417c497e8d31dd02a91194cf01bb25842ea
And Jalen Hurts is that high? This list is… Not so great
Kerr at the top is laughable
Jalen Hurts seems out of place.