Your Detroit Lions have pulled another “Same Old Lions” move and have announced that they will retain Jim Caldwell as head coach for his third season.
The Lions announced that Jim Caldwell will return for a third season as head coach
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2016
Here’s a statement from new Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn via the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett:
Bob Quinn statement: "After spending a significant amount of time together, it is clear that our football philosophies are very similar."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2016
Quinn cont: "I am convinced he is the right man to lead our football team moving forward. Jim’s entire body of work is impressive."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2016
Quinn: "Our entire focus now is on the off-season and all that it entails"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2016
More Quinn: "It’s clear to me that this team believes in him and responds positively to his leadership"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2016
Perception is reality and this sure looks like the only way that Bob Quinn got this job was with the condition that he retained Jim Caldwell. That may not be the truth, Quinn’s and Caldwell’s football philosophies may be very similar, but the perception will publicly be that Bob Quinn is just another Ford family yes man and not a bold new general manager from a winning organization that can raise the Detroit Lions from the dumps of the NFL.
If Jim Caldwell has been retained, you’d expect both his coordinators to be retained as well. That is assuming defensive coordinator Teryl Austin doesn’t get a head coaching job of his own. At this point it seems that everyone has their man and there is a good shot that he stays put.
Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter is technically no longer under contract, but I see no way that he isn’t kept on staff. However, with his friend Adam Gase now as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, you might have to get in a bidding war for his services.
Jim Caldwell has an 18-14 record as Detroit Lions head coach. The Lions got off to a 1-7 start to open up this season but finished off on a high note, going 6-2 in the final eight games.
UPDATE: 9:18 AM ET
Text from a Lions assistant: "No doubt good news." They had been in limbo for a long time
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2016
This might help with the perception issue discussed above (if anyone bothers to read it). The coaching staff had no idea about Coach Caldwell and their own future, so this might have actually been Bob Quinn’s decision.
H/T: Dave Birkett, The Detroit Free Press
