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Detroit Lions: Who Finishes the Season if Jim Caldwell is Fired?

By Zac Snyder

Sep 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Gunther Cunningham

If you’re looking for a wild card candidate to consider, how about Gunther Cunningham? His tenure with the Lions is as long as anyone on the coaching staff and he remains around the team with the title of Senior Coaching Advisor.

The Case For: Cunningham brings a wealth of experience both as a defensive coordinator and a head coach in the NFL. He has been with the Lions since Jim Schwartz was hired so he knows the team and personnel very well. His fiery attitude is a complete 180 from Caldwell’s calm demeanor – the kind of change may fans want to see. He may not be the best choice at this point, but he may be the best chance of seeing something entertaining from the Lions the rest of this season.

The Case Against: At 70-years old, Cunningham may not be interested in returning to the grind of a full-time coaching job, even on an interim basis. He has been away from more conventional coaching roles for the last three seasons.

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If the Lions do fire Caldwell at some point this season, there isn’t any reason to view the person named as his replacement as anything more than a placeholder. When the time comes to replace Caldwell, who would you like to see as the interim head coach and then the permanent replacement?

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