Report: Jim Caldwell hired as head coach of Detroit Lions
Jim Caldwell has been hired as the head coach of the Detroit Lions, according to multiple reports.
He replaces Jim Schwartz, who was fired after the Lions lost five of their last six games to fall from first place in the NFC North all the way out of playoff contention.
It will be the second NFL head coaching job for Caldwell, who became boss in Indianapolis after Tony Dungy retired before the 2009 season.
Caldwell won his first 14 games as head coach and led the Colts to a Super Bowl appearance at the end of that season. The team went 10-6 the next year and won another AFC South title, but lost in the first round of the playoffs.
The bottom fell out when star quarterback Peyton Manning missed all of 2011 after multiple neck surgeries. Caldwell was fired after going 2-14 that season.
He became quarterbacks coach in Baltimore in 2012 but was promoted to offensive coordinator late in the season and helped the Ravens win the Super Bowl. Caldwell’s offense took a step back in 2013 though, ranking 29th in the league (30th rushing, 18th passing).
Caldwell also went 26-63 in eight seasons as head coach at Wake Forest.
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