Detroit Lions: Jim Caldwell to Remain Head Coach in 2017

Despite limping into the playoffs on a three-game losing streak, the Detroit Lions have announced that Jim Caldwell will be retained in 2017.

Speculation about Jim Caldwell’s job status can be put to rest as the Detroit Lions have confirmed that there will be no coaching change for the 2017 season. There is no word that that means a contract extension has been or will be agreed to, but we now know Caldwell will remain on the Lions’ sideline next season.

The news was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter earlier this morning, then confirmed by the team (through the beat writers).

In three season as Lions head coach, Caldwell has posted a total record of 27-21 with two playoff appearances. The 2014 and 2016 seasons marked the first time the franchise appeared in the playoffs twice in a three year period since qualifying for the playoffs in 1997 and 1999.

While the end of the season was disappointing as it didn’t result in a division championship, the 9-7 record and playoff appearance met or exceeded reasonable expectations for this season. General manager Bob Quinn could have blown up the coaching staff, but has apparently decided continuity is a better strategy, just as he did when initially taking the post last year.

While fans and media will evaluate this decision entirely on the season’s results and Caldwell’s in-game management, those things were likely the tip of the iceberg in Bob Quinn’s decision-making process. More important was likely the behind the scenes parts of the job as Quinn worked with Caldwell during the week and observed the coaching staff’s game preparation.

There were perhaps some signs that Quinn and Caldwell had developed a solid working relationship in the some of the roster moves made during the season. Most recently, the team signed Garrett Reynolds, an offensive lineman who last played for the Lions in 2014, making him a pre-Quinn former Lion who played under Caldwell. The dynamic was similar with Joique Bell returning to the team during the season.

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Keeping Caldwell is the safe move, but we’ll see if it turns out to be the right move. While there is plenty about Caldwell’s style and in-game performance that leaves something to be desired, he clearly has and has maintained the respect of the players through waves of ups and downs in his three years in Detroit.