• by Tanya Gazdik , Yesterday

If the football coaching thing doesn’t work out, Dan Campbell could have a future as an actor — or an Applebee’s manager. 

“The fan-favorite head coach made his return to acting, back in his role as Applebee's head shift manager for their new national commercial spots,” according to to ESPN. “But this time, he recruited two young stars in Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty to join him on Team Applebee’s.”

Campbell’s natural comedic talent helped the spots trend across social media after filming minimal takes, which made it easy to run it with him back in the role.

"Bringing Coach Campbell back for Year 2 of our NFL partnership was a no-brainer," John Peyton, Applebee's president and Dine Brands CEO, told ESPN. "Not only does Dan continue to impress with his acting chops, but he brings an infectious charisma that raises the morale of any room he walks into.”

Detroit TV station WXYZ got a first look at the spots, which were filmed at the QSR's Howell, Michigan location. 

The ads focus on the restaurant’s appetizers list that include 81,600 possible combinations.

“In one spot, Campbell holds an NFL play-call sheet and declares,’All right, Jeanty. Time to learn the option play,’” according to Sports Illustrated. "Campbell is a natural in front of the camera and many who have seen the ad have enjoyed his pronunciation of ‘riblets’ in the spot.”

Last year’s spots showed Campbell working as an assistant shift manager for Applebee’s. This year, he got a promotion to manager. 

“Campbell’s role in the new ads is a bit of a departure from the resounding performance he delivered last year as the quintessential coach and earnest motivator,” according to the Detroit Free Press.