Lions Coach Dan Campbell Attends Michigan State Basketball Game

Detroit Lions head coach spotted at Breslin Center for rivalry matchup between Michigan State and Michigan

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:47pm

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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell was in attendance at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan to watch the basketball clash between the Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines. Campbell, whose daughter attends Michigan State, was seen wearing a Spartans hat and was photographed meeting with Spartans basketball coach Tom Izzo and football coach Pat Fitzgerald before the game.

Why it matters

The in-state rivalry between Michigan State and Michigan is one of the most intense in college sports, and Campbell's presence at the game shows his support for the Spartans program and his daughter's school. As the head coach of the Detroit Lions, Campbell's appearance at the game also highlights the close relationship between Michigan's professional and college sports teams.

The details

Campbell was spotted at the Breslin Center with his wife Holly, donning a white hat with the Spartans logo. Prior to the game, he spoke with Spartans basketball coach Tom Izzo and was photographed meeting with football coach Pat Fitzgerald. Izzo had previously expressed his respect for the Wolverines program, saying "If the day comes and you don't respect your rival, shame on you." Both the Spartans and Wolverines entered the game with 9-1 records in the Big Ten.

  • Dan Campbell was in attendance at the Breslin Center on January 30, 2026 for the basketball game between Michigan State and Michigan.

The players

Dan Campbell

The head coach of the Detroit Lions, whose daughter attends Michigan State University.

Tom Izzo

The head coach of the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team.

Pat Fitzgerald

The head coach of the Michigan State Spartans football team.

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What they’re saying

“You guys are awesome, too, because every year you want me to tell you how much I hate them. So, I will say it again, I hate them. Of course I hate them. They hate us. You've got friends down there. You think I'm getting Valentine's Day cards or birthday cards? I mean, it's the way it is, guys. It's no different than any way in America. The key word is respect. And I do respect them a lot. So, that's all that matters.”

— Tom Izzo, Michigan State Spartans Basketball Coach

“When I die, I don't care if anybody likes me or not. I care if they respect me. So, that's how I look at the rivalry. I had my time when I hated them and didn't respect them, and it cost me. So, I got smarter in younger days. If the day comes when you like your rival, it's time to get out. That's for anybody in any sport. But if the day comes and you don't respect your rival, shame on you. And I do have great respect for them and what they've accomplished and what they're doing. But I like my team, too.”

— Tom Izzo, Michigan State Spartans Basketball Coach

What’s next

The highly anticipated matchup between the Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines will take place on January 31, 2026 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

The takeaway

Dan Campbell's presence at the Michigan State-Michigan basketball game highlights the close relationship between Michigan's professional and college sports teams, as well as the intense rivalry between the two programs. Izzo's comments about respecting one's rival show the importance of sportsmanship and mutual respect, even in the fiercest of competitions.