BREAKING: Lions Hire Jim Caldwell as Head Coach
January 14, 2014
The Detroit Lions’ head coaching search has finally come to an end.
After touching down on a San Diego tarmac just to find out that Ken Whisenhunt would choose the Titans over the Lions, Detroit acted swiftly in hiring its second choice, Jim Caldwell.
Caldwell has been working as the Baltimore Ravens’ quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator since the 2012 season, including during their win in Super Bowl XLVII over the San Francisco 49ers.
Previous to his time with the Ravens, Caldwell was the head coach for the Indianapolis Colts from 2009-2011 where he posted a 26-22 overall record . In 2009, his Colts finished with a 14-2 regular season record, just coming up short in Super Bowl XLIV to the New Orleans Saints. Eventually, in the 2011 season, Peyton Manning would miss the entire season with a neck injury, and the Colts ultimately finished with a record of 2-14, costing Caldwell his job.
Lions’ management made it clear after firing former head coach Jim Schwartz that they were looking for a coach with experience, especially with leading his team through a postseason.
Caldwell has coached in three Super Bowls, once as a head coach and twice as an offensive coordinator.
It is believed that the endorsement for Jim Caldwell may have came from Tony Dungy, Caldwell’s predecessor in Indianapolis. Dungy has not been shy, sharing his feelings about the Lions.
“That’s the job I would want, I think they are the closest to a Super Bowl,” he said on the Dan Patrick Show.
The most intriguing factor in the hiring of Caldwell is his ability to work with quarterbacks. The Lions were impressed during Caldwell’s interview of his plan to work with Matthew Stafford.
It remains to be seen the rest of the staff that Caldwell will bring on, as the Lions have a vacancy for their offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. It was rumored by Adam Caplan of ESPN that they may have interest in bringing former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel onto their offensive staff.
More information will probably be given when the Lions introduce Caldwell in a press conference that still has yet to be scheduled.
Michael Higer is a multimedia journalist for Impact Sports.