Campbell began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan during the 1988 season. He was a member of Michigan's coaching staff for 13 years from 1995 to 2007. At Michigan, Campbell coached wide receivers and punt returners. He was also the team's assistant head coach from 2003 to 2007. He set an NCAA record by coaching a 1,000-yard receiver for eight consecutive years from 1998 to 2005. During his tenure at Michigan, he coached receivers
Braylon Edwards,
David Terrell,
Marquise Walker,
Amani Toomer,
Mercury Hayes,
Tai Streets,
Marcus Knight,
Jason Avant,
Mario Manningham,
Adrian Arrington,
Steve Breaston, and
Ronald Bellamy. He also coached
Charles Woodson as a punt returner, and Steve Breaston set a Big Ten record with 1,599 career punt return yards (12.6 yards per return) with Campbell as his position coach. In February 2008, Campbell was hired by the
University of Iowa as its wide receivers and tight ends coach. Upon hiring Campbell, Iowa head coach
Kirk Ferentz said, "Erik's a student of the game and a great young coach. We're thrilled to have him on our staff." In February 2012,
The Daily Iowan published a "point/counterpoint" debate on the proposed promotion of Campbell as the team's new
offensive coordinator. In 2015, Campbell joined the Michigan Wolverines football support staff as a football operations assistant under new head coach
Jim Harbaugh. Campbell and Harbaugh were teammates at Michigan from 1984 to 1986. On April 20, 2017, Campbell was named to the
Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football staff under new head coach
Danny Rocco, after having served as the wide receiver coach at the
University of Connecticut the previous season. ==Personal life==