The NFL's Black Monday is striking hard this year, and the latest victim is Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell.
On Monday morning, the team announced that it relieved Caldwell of his duties. He signed an extension with Detroit less than a year after leading the franchise to the playoffs. During his four-year tenure with the Lions, they compiled a record of 36-28, reaching the postseason twice. The only year Caldwell finished with a losing record was 2015, albeit just 7-9.
Detroit's relative success under Caldwell makes this move somewhat puzzling, but ownership likely expects greater success with franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford in the middle of his prime.
From ESPN's Michael Rothstein:
“I believe Jim is one of the finest leaders we've ever had as our head coach,” Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford said in a statement. “Not only did he guide us on the field to three winning seasons, but he also set a standard of excellence off the field that had a tremendous impact on everyone in our organization and our entire community. As many of our players have already said, his influence on them transcended the game of football and will positively serve them throughout their lives.
“Our organization is better because of Jim, and we are forever grateful.”
Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks told reporters that Detroit has approached him about the job, and ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Lions are also interested in interviewing New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
Stafford praised Caldwell for helping him develop into the QB that he is today:
“He's been great. He's as levelheaded a guy as I've ever been around,” Stafford said. “Understands the position of quarterback really well and was great for me and great for a lot of guys on offense just to bounce ideas off of. I have a ton of respect for him, just the way he carried himself, the way he coached us, the way he treated everybody. He's a great guy and a great coach.”
During their four years together, Stafford put up a completion percentage of 64.6, threw 107 touchdowns to 45 interceptions, and averaged 4,323 passing yards per season.
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