Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell has surprisingly kept his job after many other high-profile members of the organization were let go following last year’s 7-9 performance.
It now appears that Caldwell has an even longer leash heading into the 2016 season.
“There is no mandate of number of wins and there is no mandate of playoffs,” Lions general manager Bob Quinn told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Fortunately for Caldwell’s Lions, the team turned a disastrous season around after myriad of coaches were let go mid-year. The Lions finished with a 6-2 record to close out the campaign.
Though, Detroit’s 2015 campaign was a far cry from its 11-5 playoff performance in 2014.
For Caldwell, it is his personal demeanor that will primarily determine whether he remains with the team beyond the 2016 season.
“It’s my feel for, like, his coaching style. The decisions he makes for the team,” Quinn continued. “The way he handles the staff and just how competitive a football team we are. Jim’s a great man, he’s a great coach, he has great presence with the team.”
Caldwell definitely can own all of these praises. Though, sometimes nice guys finish last. If the Lions fail to live up to what are already muted expectations this season, there’s a good chance they will move on from the head coach.