Jim Caldwell will Remain Detroit Lions Head Coach

The Detroit Lions announced Friday that Jim Caldwell will return as head coach for the 2016 season.

The Lions had said that Caldwell's future with the team would be up to new General Manager Bob Quinn. Quinn said Monday he would need to get to know Caldwell before determining his future with the team. His deliberation complete, Quinn has decided Caldwell is a good fit with the Lions and will remain head coach. 

According to the Lions Insider, On Monday, Quinn's fist day on the job, he said,

“I need to get to know Jim. I met Jim today for 30 seconds. I don’t have a great feel just yet. I’ve heard good things about him from my colleagues around the league, but that takes time. I’m not going to make a snap judgment on anything. That’s not how I work.”

With today's decision, Quinn said in a statement released by the team,


“As I stated Monday, I was looking forward to the opportunity to get to know Jim. After spending a significant amount of time together, it is clear that our football philosophies are very similar. Consequently, I am convinced he is the right man to lead our football team moving forward.

 

Jim’s entire body of work is impressive. Not only did he lead the Lions to the playoffs his first season here, but when you look at how the players responded the second half of last season, under difficult circumstances, it’s clear to me that this team believes in him and responds positively to his leadership.

 

Our entire focus now is on the offseason and all that it entails.”

Caldwell was hired in January 2014. In two seasons with Detroit, his record is 18-14. Caldwell lead the Lions to the playoffs in 2014 with an 11-5 record. The team missed the playoffs in 2015 after starting 1-7 and finishing 7-9.

Caldwell released a statement, saying,

“I am obviously thrilled that I will continue to lead this football team. I genuinely appreciate the faith Bob has shown in me, and I really look forward to working together.

As I’ve said before, I truly love coaching the Lions and, while I’ve only been here two years, I have grown to love our fans, the City of Detroit, and the people of Detroit and Michigan.

Their loyalty and passion is incredible and we want nothing more than to bring them a championship.”

[The Detroit Lions]