Detroit Lions Black History Month Profile: Jim Caldwell
A member of Tony Dungy’s coaching tree, Jim Caldwell helped to bring dignity and respectability back to the Detroit Lions’ organization.
The first black head coach in the history of the Detroit Lions, Jim Caldwell seemingly had his work cut out for him from the very beginning.
Caldwell’s predecessor at head coach, Jim Schwartz, came into an organization that went 0-16 in 2008. Over his five years, he sought to bring the fight back to the organization.
Unfortunately, the price of bringing the fight back came at the cost of the team’s reputation. Ndamukong Suh’s antics were the primary reasons that Detroit was labeled as a “dirty” team.
Despite his dominance on the field, Suh’s act wore thin. Schwartz never saw fit to reign in his defensive star’s behavior. In fact, he virtually encouraged Suh’s hyper-aggression.
Ultimately, a 29-51 win-loss record was enough for Schwartz’s dismissal, but there was still a black cloud hanging over Detroit. Their reputation was in tatters. This is what Jim Caldwell inherited.
To make matters worse, Caldwell wasn’t even the top choice to become Lions head coach. Ken Whisenhunt infamously spurned Detroit and took the Tennessee Titans head coaching job instead.
It was only after this humiliation that the Lions began to seriously consider hiring Caldwell. To say he had his work cut out for him from the very beginning is an understatement to say the least.
2014
Undaunted, Jim Caldwell set about his task of righting the ship in Detroit. In his inaugural season, he steered the team to an 11-5 record and a Wildcard round playoff berth against the Dallas Cowboys.
That Wildcard game ended in a controversial loss for the Lions.
2015
After a sluggish 1-7 start to the 2015 season, former Lions team president and team general manager, Tom Lewand and Martin Mayhew, were fired.
Caldwell managed to fight for his job by rallying his team to win six of their last seven games. Detroit finished the year at 7-9.
2016-2017
In early January 2016, Detroit hired Bob Quinn to be their new general manager.
After an initial meeting and evaluation process, Quinn determined to keep Caldwell on as head coach. He used the Lions’ strong finish to 2015 and good working relationship with Caldwell as the baselines to his decision.
Over the next two years, Caldwell’s teams finished with identical 9-7 records.
In 2016, they backed their way into the playoffs and bowed out in a lackluster 26-6 loss against the Seattle Seahawks.
Finishing two games over .500 was not enough to get Detroit back into the playoffs in 2017.
Dismissal
Despite a 36-28 overall record, Jim Caldwell’s lack of success against the NFL’s best teams sealed his fate.
No division titles, no playoff wins, and a 4-25 record against teams with winning records cost Jim Caldwell his job. Bob Quinn terminated Caldwell’s service on January 1, 2018.
Legacy
Jim Caldwell wasn’t a fiery personality. He wasn’t always agreeable with the media and his expressionless demeanor oftentimes rubbed Detroit fans the wrong way.
Still though, Caldwell brought a level of calmness and humility to his job that truly resonated with his players. He was able to establish strong bonds with them and built connections that extended well beyond the football field.
He was an extremely well-read man of faith who could captivate a room whenever he decided to.
Jim Caldwell took the reigns of a team that had a long history of losing more than they won. He ended his time with the organization’s best winning percentage in the Super Bowl era.
If new Lions head coach Matt Patricia can succeed where Jim Caldwell failed, he could establish himself as the Lions’ best coach of the Super Bowl era.
Even if that is the case, Jim Caldwell’s contributions should not be forgotten or overlooked.
Next: Detroit Lions Black History Month Profile - Wally Triplett
Before Caldwell got to Detroit, the Lions were seen as a perennial doormat. Through his efforts, he helped change the narrative of the entire franchise.
Detroit is now an organization primed for success. They can thank Jim Caldwell, in part, for that turnaround.