Holly Campbell, the wife of Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, recently shared insights into their enduring relationship and her creative superstitions that help her cope with the pressures of game day. The couple has been together since tying the knot in 1999, and Holly reflects on their long-lasting bond, saying, “We’re pretty much grandfathered in at this point.”
Holly, 50, has been a supportive presence by Dan’s side for over two decades and admits that game days can be nerve-wracking for families of coaches and players. To ease her anxiety, she has developed a series of quirky rituals. On home game days, she arrives early at the stadium and heads to the field for a pregame kiss with Dan, which she considers a crucial part of their routine. If she happens to miss a game, they make sure to FaceTime before the first play kicks off, reinforcing their connection even when they are apart.
During the games, Holly often watches from a suite but prefers to retreat to the bathroom when things aren’t going well for the Lions. She humorously describes this habit as a way to gain a semblance of control, where she can follow the game on ESPN until cheers signal it’s safe to return. Her friends and family participate in this superstition, sending her away when the team struggles and calling her back only when they’re performing well.
Holly’s game-day superstitions go back to her early days as Dan played for the Lions. She recalls wearing a bracelet with his number 89 but eventually decided to boil it, believing it would shed any bad luck associated with the team’s losing streak. Holly adds that her support doesn’t stop at rituals; she used to wish Dan well before every game, inspired by a quote from a film they watched on their first date. However, after forgetting to say the phrase during their first win of the season in 2021, she humorously speculated on whether it was her saying “do a good job” that contributed to Dan’s success.
Currently, the Lions have shown promising performance with a 4–2 record, rapidly bouncing back to secure victories against formidable opponents like the Chicago Bears and the Baltimore Ravens. Holly expressed excitement for the season, indicating they are prepared to “go all the way.” Her lighthearted reflections on game-day superstitions illustrate the deep bond she shares with her husband, making their journey together all the more endearing as they navigate the highs and lows of NFL coaching.