UPDATE: Jim Caldwell will reportedly bring aboard Eagles QB Coach Bill Lazor as the team’s new offensive coordinator.
UPDATE: Tony Dungy weighs in on the Caldwell hire:
I’m excited for Matthew Stafford & the Detroit Lions. I think he’s going to flourish under Jim Caldwell. Lions will be a playoff team in ’14
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) January 14, 2014
UPDATE: According to Jason La Canfora, it looks like the Lions may also get Baltimore’s secondary coach:
Ravens, besides Caldwell, could be losing another top assistant to the Lions – secondary coach Teryl Austin. Caldwell very high on him …
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 14, 2014
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter the Lions have hired Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell as the team’s new head coach.
Detroit Lions are hiring Jim Caldwell as their head coach, per a league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 14, 2014
The Caldwell hiring for the Lions comes a day after perceived No. 1 candidate Ken Whisenhunt signed on with the Tennessee Titans.
Caldwell brings in a 26-22 head coaching record after three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. This includes a Super Bowl appearance in 2009, a loss to the New York Jets in the AFC Wild Card Game during the 2010 season and a 2-14 record in 2011 that ultimately saw his demise (all be it without Peyton Manning). Caldwell also unfortunately found some trouble as Ravens offensive coordinator this past season with Baltimore finishing in the bottom third of major offensive statistical categories.
However, Caldwell has been endorsed by his former boss Tony Dungy and QB Peyton Manning and could bring along former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel as part of his offensive staff.
Should Jim Caldwell wind up getting the #Lions HC job, don’t be surprised to see him look to add Jim Tressel to his offensive staff.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) January 14, 2014
