The Lions coaching search is beginning to take shape after the firing of Jim Schwartz this past Monday. Since then, three candidates names have emerged as potential replacements to take over the team in 2014.
First is Seattle assistant and former Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable who according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press has garnered some interest by the Lions.
I hear the Lions have interest in Seahawks assistant head coach Tom Cable for their HC position. Would add a power element to Lions offense.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) December 31, 2013
Cable has been on the Seahawks coaching staff for the past three seasons but compiled a 17-27 as the Raiders’ head coach from 2008 through 2010. Cable though may be most remembered during his tenure with Oakland for punching out an assistant coach during a team practice.
Reports are also suggesting that the Lions are also interested in Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell.
Previous to his current position, Caldwell was the former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts where he went 14-2 and 10-6 in his first two seasons with Peyton Manning at QB. However in 2011 after losing the star quarterback to a neck injury Caldwell guided the Colts to a 2-14 record which ultimately saw his release.
The interest in Caldwell though from the Lions more than likely revolves around coaching quarterbacks, receivers, and coordinating pass-first offenses. Obviously this could be beneficial to the big time investments the team has in Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.
Finally reports emerged this morning that the Lions were going to conduct an interview with Lovie Smith.
Smith previously spent nine seasons in the NFC as head coach of the Chicago Bears compiling a 81-63 record, three NFC North titles and a trip to the Super Bowl.
Dave Birkett of the Free Press helped break the story citing John Wooten, chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance that promotes diversity in the NFL, in the expectation that Smith will interview in Detroit.
“We have a great relationship (with Lions general manager Martin Mayhew) and it’s been that way for a long time,” Wooten said. “We talk every week. We don’t just talk when disaster comes, we talk all the time.”
Smith obviously has had plenty of success in the division and would seem to be a very viable candidate for the job. The concern though with Smith is his defensive mentality something that may not benefit the potential high powered offense of the Lions.