Dec 10, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Former Lions head coach Jim Caldwell seems lined up for some head coaching interviews, and his first will reportedly be with the Carolina Panthers.
With how much time has passed since he was fired by the Detroit Lions, Jim Caldwell may not get another chance to be a head coach. He has gotten some interviews through the years, but he has been out of coaching since a health situation led to him leaving his post on the Miami Dolphins’ staff in the middle of the 2019 season.
That said, Caldwell has somewhat surfaced as a potential candidate for the head coaching openings with the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts. But it appears he’ll have a different interview elsewhere first, with Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reporting Sunday morning the Carolina Panthers are expected to interview Caldwell and former Colts head coach Frank Reich.
Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported the Panthers will interview Caldwell on Monday.
Jim Caldwell will be among first interviews for Panthers head coaching job
Since they fired Matt Rhule midseason, the Panthers don’t have a “Black Monday” firing to make before they can start interviewing candidates to be their next head coach. Interim head coach Steve Wilks is a legit candidate to permanently replace Rhule, but it sounds like a broad search is coming–perhaps (or likely) including Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Caldwell spent four seasons (2014-2017) as the Lions’ head coach, with a 36-28 record, three winning seasons and a playoff berth in 2016. Before that he succeeded Tony Dungy as the Colts head coach, highlighted by a Super Bowl appearance (a loss to the Saints) in the first of his three seasons (2009-2011). Between head coaching stints, he was quarterbacks coach then offensive for the Baltimore Ravens over two seasons there (2012-2013).
Overall Caldwell is 62-50 over seven seasons as an NFL head coach, with five winning seasons and four playoff appearances. He is clearly still well-respected around the league. If he doesn’t get a head coaching gig, someone would do well to hire him as a quarterbacks coach or offensive coordinator.