Bob Quinn sets new standard for Detroit Lions by firing Jim Caldwell

Detroit Lions’ GM Bob Quinn dismissed Jim Caldwell this past week, marking a new standard of excellence for the franchise.

As expected by many, the Detroit Lions fired head coach Jim Caldwell on Monday after four seasons. In doing so, General Manager Bob Quinn delivered a stern message: Good enough is just not good enough anymore.

Caldwell successfully raised the expectations for the franchise, but was simply never able to exceed them. The Lions’ inability to run the football, coupled with an inability to beat top-tier competition, ultimately sealed his fate.

In Caldwell’s four seasons at the helm, a span of 64 games, the Lions failed to produce a single rusher who ran for at least 100 yards in a game. To put that into perspective, the team with the next-lowest number, the Indianapolis Colts, have four in the same span. Even bad teams – which the Lions are no longer – have it happen occasionally, if not accidentally.

Even more damning than the woes on the ground was how the team fared against upper-echelon franchises in the NFL. In the last two seasons, the Lions compiled a paltry 1-12 record against playoff teams.

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Caldwell’s redeeming qualities were that his players respected him, trusted him, and fought hard for him. Coupled with winning seasons in three out of four years, including back-to-back 9-7 seasons, there was enough of an argument to keep him as head coach.

Surely there would be some sort of emotional speech, a last sendoff, or even a final opportunity to address the team and inform them of his fate. He at least earned that, right?

When the news broke that players learned of Caldwell’s dismissal from Quinn himself, I was confused.

Then I listened to Quinn’s press conference, and I understood completely.

A new standard has been set in Detroit, a standard where a 9-7 record is no longer acceptable. The Lions were in the business of winning football games, and now they are in the business of winning championships.

There is no room for sentimentality. There is no room for emotional farewells. It’s about results, nothing more. It doesn’t matter how nice of a guy you are or how well-respected you are. It is success or failure, and everyone is held accountable.

Quinn was honest and open when he addressed the media on Monday. He stated that he believes the team, as currently comprised, is better than their 9-7 record.

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Now, his task is to find a leader who can elevate and maximize what he can get out of his players, and vault the Lions into the perennial championship contenders.