{"id":155952,"date":"2025-06-24T23:30:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T23:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/155952\/"},"modified":"2025-06-24T23:30:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T23:30:10","slug":"how-bill-parcells-once-got-dan-campbell-to-shift-the-energy-during-a-slow-cowboys-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/155952\/","title":{"rendered":"How Bill Parcells once got Dan Campbell to shift the energy during a slow Cowboys practice"},"content":{"rendered":"

By now, NFL fans know how intense Dan Campbell<\/a> can be. The head coach\u2019s energy has been a key part of the Detroit Lions\u2019 recent surge.<\/p>\n

Campbell apparently also set the tone during his days as a Dallas Cowboys<\/a> tight end. Todd Haley, a former Cowboys wide receivers coach, recently relived an interesting interaction between Campbell and ex-Dallas head coach Bill Parcells during a practice in 2006.<\/p>\n

According to Haley, Parcells turned to Campbell<\/a> when a lethargic vibe took over a Wednesday practice ahead of a meeting with the New York Giants.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no energy and I see [Parcells] call Dan over to the side and say a couple of words to him. Dan runs back into the huddle and Parcells, with his arms crossed like he always did, walked over to me and he said, \u2018Watch this, Todd,\u2019\u201d Haley recently told ESPN\u2019s Kevin Clark.<\/a> \u201cA fight ensued on the next play and Dan Campbell was in the middle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cowboys<\/p>\n

Be the smartest Cowboys fan. Get the latest news.<\/p>\n

Todd Haley was on the Cowboys staff when Dan Campbell was a player. <\/p>\n

One day the Cowboys were struggling. Practice was lethargic. Bill Parcells had a secret weapon: Ask Dan Campbell to get in a practice fight.<\/p>\n

Practice wasn’t lethargic after that. pic.twitter.com\/JnNtchkSmB<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) June 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Haley added that Parcells knew Campbell could set things straight in an instant. The energy in the practice shifted in the right direction after Campbell\u2019s brief scuffle.<\/p>\n

That wouldn\u2019t be the only time Parcells has provided positive feedback on Campbell\u2019s impact. Campbell, a former Texas A&M standout, was notably one of Parcells\u2019 first free-agent signings when he took over the Cowboys\u2019 head coaching gig in 2003.<\/p>\n

Campbell played for the Cowboys from 2003-05, officially ending his playing career in 2009 with the New Orleans Saints. Since taking over the Lions\u2019 head coaching job in 2021,<\/a> Campbell has turned Detroit into one of the NFC\u2019s top teams.<\/p>\n

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here<\/a>.<\/p>\n