Detroit Lions to fire head coach Jim Caldwell, per report
Detroit Lions ownership is done with being an average team
The Detroit Lions are expected to fire head coach Jim Caldwell after Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers regardless if they beat the Aaron Rodgers-less team. Saturday’s report comes from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who also says there’s a leading candidate for the job already.
Caldwell will wrap up his fourth season with the Lions since taking over in 2014 and leading Detroit to an 11-5 record. During Caldwell’s tenure, the Lions are 0-2 in the playoffs with no division titles, and have a 35-28 record.
Taking over for Jim Schwartz Caldwell took a 7-9 team to the playoffs with 11 wins behind Matthew Stafford and a strong running game.
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is the reported leader for the head coach job. Patricia has interviewed for head coach jobs in the past but has been with the Patriots as their defensive coordinator since 2012.
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Detroit’s current defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has also interviewed for head coach positions in the past and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter has generated interest, but it’s unknown if the Ford family wants to clean house.
Last week the NFL Career Development Advisory Panel, made up of former team executives, put together a list of 11 names of potential head coach candidates. Patricia and Cooter were named on that list, as was the former Lions coach and Eagles defensive coordinator Schwartz.
Schwartz was one of four former head coaches named on the list, including Pat Shurmur, Josh McDaniels, and Dan Campbell.