Jim Caldwell, the former head coach of the Detroit Lions, claimed that since he left the team, there have been
In Detroit, Jim Caldwell has undoubtedly been successful. Why, then, is his future uncertain?
Despite being the most successful coach the Detroit Lions have had in decades, the 61-year-old has been compelled to refute rumors that he will lose his position.
After sixty years of defeat, one would think that the most disadvantaged team in football is fortunate to have Caldwell on the sidelines. The ledger of his forebears is unimpressive.
This century, the Lions have only won 36% of their games under the coaching of any of the other five men.
With the exception of Gary Moeller’s 4-3 record in emergency service during the 2000 seasons, the last Lions coach with a winning percentage as high as Caldwell’s.571 dates back to 1956.
Still, it appears that the guy who has guided Detroit to the postseason in two of the previous three seasons is hanging onto his position.
It took a story from ESPN on Wednesday morning confirming that Caldwell will lead the Lions in 2020–21 to quell rumors that he might lose his job.
Caldwell was compelled to take time out of his news conference later in the day to express gratitude to the team for keeping him.
The Lions are getting ready for the playoffs the week this is happening.
It’s amazing that the Lions had to explain Caldwell’s situation; maybe the rumors circulating on social media were more of a breeze than something the team leaders actually considered.
This is a team that has never made it to the Super Bowl, has only won one playoff game since 1957, and this Saturday in Seattle will be just their fifth playoffs game in sixteen years.
The man who brought in the wins should be receiving a contract extension at this point, but instead he is worrying about whether he will be able to coach in the last year of his four-year agreement.
In an interview with the Guardian on Wednesday afternoon, Fritz Pollard Alliance chairman John Wooten said, I was extremely startled that there was a doubt he might return to the Lions.
The goal of the Fritz Pollard Alliance is to bring skilled African American coaches to the attention of NFL organizations. As the leader of the group, Wooten has facilitated the advancement of other coaches of color.
Furthermore, Wooten is cautious to clarify that his group consistently advises schools to choose the greatest coach, despite the fact that many may perceive his backing of Caldwell as prejudice against a black coach.
Other than luring Bill Belichick away from New England, it’s difficult to contest that Caldwell is the best leader the Lions could have.
When he signed with the Lions, the squad had a reputation for instability despite having a good roster. They were a team with an excessive number of penalties and errors.
They required an adult to establish control over them and guide the group through difficult situations. He has guided Detroit on winning streaks in November and December that have advanced them to the playoffs twice in the last three seasons.
Quarterback Matt Stafford has enjoyed some of his greatest seasons since joining the Lions, and the offense has flourished even after legendary receiver Calvin Johnson unexpectedly retired in March.
Wooten remarked, Jim has a tremendous ability to make you feel that what you are doing is best for you.
Even still, the most successful coach the Lions have had in decades does not yet have a contract extension for the last year of his four-year contract. He had to spend time in the playoffs stifling rumors that he might not be around for the postseason.
Granted that general manager Bob Quinn joined the organization two years after Caldwell did, and that managers often prefer to select their own coaches, there is no doubt that the team’s recent run of three NFC East games losses has contributed to some of the conjecture around Caldwell’s future.
However, losing to Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and then the Giants and Dallas Cowboys is hardly a cause for dismissal.
The last several weeks have not been good for NFL coaches who are black. Terry Bradshaw, the Hall of Fame quarterback for the Steelers, recently referred to Mike Tomlin, the team’s current coach, as a fantastic cheering guy and said, I don’t know what he does. He isn’t a particularly good coach, in my opinion.
Tomlin’s contributions to Pittsburgh over the course of ten years have included two Super Bowl appearances, five division titles, and stability.
The NFL is still hesitant to appoint black males to be their captains in a league dominated by African American athletes.
Since 2012, teams have appointed 21 white head coaches for the first time and only one black coach (Todd Bowles of the Jets) with no prior NFL coaching experience.
Therefore, it might not come as a surprise when Tomlin contributes to another division-winning campaign and Caldwell is left to consider himself fortunate to still be employed following his two consecutive trips to the playoffs.
Perhaps not the most exciting head coach is Caldwell. His press briefings are dull, and he doesn’t yell on the sidelines.
He is not a cliché. As he is 61 years old, he is hardly the brand-new item that team officials and supporters appear to be clamoring for.
However, he improves teams. Even though he doesn’t always receive credit for the work he does, this fact cannot be disputed.
It’s common knowledge that Caldwell rode Peyton Manning to victory during his two division titles and one Super Bowl appearance as the Colts’ coach from 2009 to 2011, but Belichick has done the same with Tom Brady in New England. Despite his track record indicating otherwise, not many discuss him as one of the NFL’s top offensive coordinators.
When he took over as the offensive coordinator of the Ravens in the middle of the 2012 season, he rapidly instituted a vertical passing strategy and a potent running game, which turned around Baltimore’s flagging season and helped them win the Super Bowl. He has now turned the once-losing Lions into victors.
Wooten stated, I believe the players understand that he is an excellent teacher of the game’s fundamentals, a strong leader, and a wonderful communicator.”
Does anybody else share this? How many white coaches who led the Lions to the postseason in two of the previous three seasons are probably questioning their futures with the team? The NFL must eventually recognize Jim Caldwell for what he is, one of the top offensive coordinators and coaches in the league.
You would think that a coach’s record would be the only factor to consider in 2017 when evaluating him. You would imagine that a member of the Hall of Fame would not call Tomlin a cheerleader.
It’s surprising that Caldwell could lose his job after leading the Lions—yes, the Lions—to two consecutive playoff appearances.
Wooten, speaking from his Texas home, expressed optimism that NFL teams are aware of what Tomlin and Caldwell are doing.
There are six head coaching positions open right now, and he hopes that guys like Teryl Austin, the defensive coordinator for Caldwell in Detroit, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph of the Dolphins, interim coach Anthony Lynn of the Bills, and offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin of Arizona will find the ideal moment to take over.
