When Sheila Hamp first grasped the reigns of the Detroit Lions franchise as the principal owner and chairwoman in June 2020, the organization was fresh off back-back last-place finish in the NFC North. It had been 27 years since a division title, and you would have to go back two years earlier since the team’s last, first, and only playoff win. After the magical 1991 season, the Lions only made the playoffs eight times and finished the season above .500 nine times, with a total record of 171 wins, 256 losses, and one tie under 12 different head coaches. Yikes.
What Sheila Hamp inherited from her mother, Martha, was a losing organization. For decades, the Lions were the butt end of NFL jokes. From the top of the organization down to the players on the field, there was no respect for Detroit football.
For Lions fans, speaking the name Ford was often followed by a sigh of disappointment. There was a nasty connotation with Ford, a reason why Hamp publicly dropped the Ford from her name.
Lions Owner Sheila Hamp (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
I specifically remember one moment involving Hamp at Ford Field in September 2021. At halftime of the infamous Ravens game, in which Justin Tucker won the game on a record-setting 66-yard field goal, Hamp welcomed and celebrated Calvin Johnson for his Hall of Fame induction. The crowd rained down boos and vulgar language toward the new owner.
“What has she done to deserve this,” I told my friend.
She handled it well, ignoring the boos and smiling through it all.
“Totally understand it,” Hamp told the Detroit Free Press. “Understand the frustration all the years. I think it was a lot of things involved in that booing, so as I say no one likes it, but I got it. Totally got it. And I’m as frustrated as the fans are and I appreciate their sentiment and hopefully what we’re trying to do here will turn to cheers one day.”
Less than two years later, the Lions have built a notorious culture and are the favorites to win the NFC North.
The Winning Culture Hamp Built from the Ground Up
Head coach Dan Campbell is credited with building a winning culture in Detroit. General manager Brad Holmes is praised for constructing a winning roster. Both are key reasons why the state of the franchise currently is what it is: exciting. However, the organizational reset began before those two were hired… by Hamp.
When Hamp took over in the Summer of 2020, it took just 11 games for her to dismiss GM Bob Quinn and Head Coach Matt Patricia from their respective duties. Patricia was 13-29-1 as head coach of the Lions, while Bob Quinn had botched four straight drafts.
A month later, Hamp hired former Lions player Chris Spielman as an assistant and chairman to help run the football side of the business. Spielman was named to an All-Pro team three teams in his Lions career and worked with ESPN and Fox as an analyst and broadcaster for twenty years.
Come January, Spielman and Hamp hired Brad Holmes to be the next General Manager of the franchise. Hamp specifically noted Holmes’s leadership ability as a reason they brought in the Rams director of college scouting.
Shortly after Brad Holmes was hired, Holmes, Sheila, and Speilman brought in Dan Campbell, who was not a fan favorite, let alone a known candidate.
WHO?????
— James ?? (@JamesNCFan1) January 20, 2021
Of the Lions’ head coaching candidates, Dan Campbell didn’t stick out on the list of names, including Eric Bieniemy, Arthur Smith, Marvin Lewis, Robert Salah, and Todd Bowles. Campbell was hired to build upon the new culture beginning in Detroit.
“He will help promote the culture we want to establish across our organization while also bringing with him high energy, a respect for the game, and an identity with which everyone can align themselves,” Hamp said about Campbell when they hired him.
Lions CEO and President Rod Wood had this to say about Campbell when he was brought in as the 30th head coach in franchise history.
Lions CEO and President Rod Wood – Mike Mulholland | MLive.com
“When we began the search for a head coach, it was imperative that we find the right leader who values our commitment to building a winning culture based on organizational alignment and collaboration. The leadership Dan has exemplified throughout his football career has prepared him for this next step, and we are excited to support him as our new head coach.”
Despite the rough start to his career (4-19-1 record), the organization fully believed in Dan Campbell, which ended up paying off. The Lions finished 2022 with an 8-2 record and now await the most anticipated season in Detroit Lions’ history.
Energy, Excitement, and Winning
It’s a common misconception that football games are won purely on the field. What the team of Sheila Hamp, Brad Holmes, Chris Speilman, and Brad Holmes have accomplished has turned the Lions into a winning organization. There is an energy in the building that hasn’t been in Detroit in a long time, and it all stems from the culture set by the people at the top.
Additional Note: Sheila Hamp was the first female in NFL history to obtain ownership from another female. She is one of three female owners in the NFL.
