Detroit Lions: Jim Caldwell’s Job Reportedly Not Safe
By Zac Snyder
The word on Jim Caldwell’s future as Detroit Lions head coach remains the same after hiring a GM as it was before – the new GM will make the call.
Now that the Detroit Lions have decided on Bob Quinn as their new general manager, other important decisions and changes can begin to be made.
While some have called for Jim Caldwell’s firing while others want to see him return, the Lions have maintained that his future will be determined by the new general manager.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, that remains the case.
A big topic of discussion on @NFLGameDay today: New #Lions GM Bob Quinn will evaluate the coaching situation. Coach Jim Caldwell NOT safe.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2016
On the face, this is nothing new to the situation. From the moment Rod Wood was hired as the new team president to replace the fired Tom Lewand, the official stance has been that the new general manager would make the call on whether or not Jim Caldwell remains as head coach.
However, many fans have been skeptical that would be the case given the apparent admiration the Ford family has for Caldwell and the 6-2 finish to a disappointing 7-9 season.
I opined last night that I had a hard time believing a quality general manager candidate working for the New England Patriots would jump for the Lions job without full certainty that he would be able to make the decision on the head coach.
That certainly appears to be the case with Rapoport’s report this morning. The pre-GM hire message hasn’t changed post-GM hire, giving confidence to the idea that previous comments about Caldwell’s future were more than lip service.
If Quinn decides to move on from Caldwell the coaching search will be starting later than other openings but that doesn’t mean the Lions can’t come away with a solid hire. Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News has a pretty good example of that:
Cardinals named Steve Keim GM on Jan. 8, 2013. Hired Bruce Arians as HC Jan. 17. If Lions make a move, there will be good candidates.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 9, 2016
Caldwell finds himself in a similar position to the one he faced in Indianapolis. He was not broomed out with the Polian front office, being left in place until Ryan Grigson was hired before ultimately being fired later in January.
Stay tuned to Detroit Jock City as the offseason unfolds.