Detroit Lions: Don't Be Surprised if Jim Caldwell Returns

Uncertainty abounds as the Detroit Lions offseason is about to begin, but the coming changes may not include a new head coach. Jim Caldwell may be safe.

The notion that Jim Caldwell might return as the Detroit Lions’ head coach in 2016 was laughable at the season’s midway point. At 1-7, the Lions were all but eliminated from playoff contention after reaching the postseason with an 11-5 season in 2014.

5-2 in the game’s since, there is increasing speculation that there might not be a new coach next season.

It is no secret that the Ford family is fond of Jim Caldwell but there have been no assurances from ownership or new team president Rod Wood that Caldwell indeed will be retained. Wood has repeatedly said that Caldwell’s fate will be left up to the new general manager when hired.

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NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport had the following to say about the Lions’ job in his roundup of potential coaching changes:

"The fate of Caldwell is in the hands of the unhired new general manager. There is no way of knowing if he’ll return until his boss is hired, despite players speaking out for his return. But inside the organization, it does not feel like Caldwell is set to be fired. The Ford family has strong feelings for him, as he’s quickly earned their respect. Given the way his team finished, it is no certainty the Lions job will be open."

At the very least it doesn’t sound like fans should expect Caldwell to be fired on Monday.

The situation is similar to what Caldwell faced in Indianapolis when he was not broomed out with the Polian front office but was ultimately fired following the hiring of Ryan Grigson. Caldwell may see history repeat itself, but that is not a given.

With so many head coaching jobs expected to be up for grabs this offseason, a new general manager may feel like wading in those uncertain waters is more dangerous than retaining a veteran head coach with a record above .500 in his two years in Detroit.

News that Caldwell may not be on his way out will bring groans from some fans and concern that the promised sweeping search for a new general manager will be a farce. Beat writer Dave Birkett refuted that concern this morning.

That's not the sense I get from people in organization and across the league. I expect a full search https://t.co/ly7KhVuVv1
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 3, 2016

While the tide with Caldwell may have turned, the big domino to fall remains the hiring of a general manager. Until that happens, Caldwell is likely to remain in limbo.

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what do you think about the prospects of Jim Caldwell being retained as the head coach for 2016 and possibly beyond?

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Detroit Lions: Don’t Be Surprised if Jim Caldwell Returns

By Zac Snyder | Jan 3, 2016

Uncertainty abounds as the Detroit Lions offseason is about to begin, but the coming changes may not include a new head coach. Jim Caldwell may be safe.

More from Detroit Jock City