He was the Calgary Stampeders' defensive coordinator from 2012 to 2013 and was also an assistant coach with the Edmonton Eskimos and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

[3] Campbell was born in Spokane, when his father, Hugh was the head coach of the football team at Whitworth College.

When Kay Stephenson, the head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos at the time, asked his father Hugh for permission to hire him, he was denied.

Upon being asked by Don Matthews to appoint him to the coaching staff, fearing a backlash in the media, the elder Campbell reluctantly agreed.

Shortly after Richie Hall's hiring, Campbell left the Eskimos, and was appointed the defensive backs and special teams coordinator under new the Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike Kelly.

[8] The Bombers campaign was a disaster as the team finished the season at 7-11,[9] and Kelly was fired in the off-season due to personal conduct issues.

Campbell then returned to the Calgary Stampeders to replace Chris Jones, who left the Stamps that off-season to accept a defensive coordinator role with the Toronto Argonauts.

The Stamps defense under Campbell were known for their aggressive style of play, leading the league in turnovers on downs and second in fewest points allowed.

[13] Campbell returned to his hometown for the first time as a CFL head coach on July 11, 2014 when the Redblacks played the Eskimos.

[15] Campbell won his first game as a CFL head coach on July 17, 2014 when the Redblacks defeated the Toronto Argonauts, 18–17.

The Redblacks would also clinch a first round bye and home field advantage in the CFL East Division Finals.

Campbell's team lost to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who crossed over to play the Redblacks in the East Division Semi-final.