As of now, it is no longer “breaking news” that Bob Quinn and Martha Ford have decided to keep Detroit Lions’ head coach, Jim Caldwell in his position for next season. It’s also fairly common knowledge that those who dislike Jim Caldwell are much more vocal than those who do. We took to Twitter with a poll this morning asking the Nation how they felt about Caldwell staying in Detroit. Love him, hate him, indifferent about him? It doesn’t matter any longer because the writing is on the wall. He will be the head coach of YOUR Detroit Lions.
However, before we get to the poll results, here are some fan reactions following the news coming out of Detroit this morning.
of course. Strive for mediocre football
— NoHo Hank (@MCD881) January 4, 2017
No number 1 receiver, no running game. Can't get pressure on the opposing QB'S. The problem is talent, not coaching.
— Jimmy Robinson (@JimmyRobinson7) January 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/SB51Champs/status/816660036697124864
As you can see from the picture below, 47% of you are neutral with Caldwell keeping his job. While 31% aren’t having it and 22% are cool seeing Caldwell calling the shots from the sideline next season.
You see that check mark next to the “Love it” option there? Yep, that’s my reaction to it. I am excited for Jim Caldwell to return. Let’s look at the really bad teams within the NFL. Cleveland, San Francisco, and Jacksonville just to name a few, all have at least one thing in common. What is that, you ask? Their head coaching position is a revolving door! How can a franchise, let alone a group of players ever fully come together when they have to spend every offseason learning a new scheme? That is completely counter-productive, and by Jim Caldwell keeping his job with the blank stare of jubilation, that continues to lay the ground work for what Bob Quinn is doing for the Lions franchise. Look, Caldwell annoys the hell out of me at times just like those of you who don’t like him, but facts are that he has done a good job during his time in Detroit when it comes right down to it. 11-5, 7-9, and 9-7 are the records he has put up. Let’s not completely over rate the talent that the Lions actually have on their team. Injuries, especially this season have plagued them and a lot of the backups are practice squad players who were cut from other teams. Caldwell, Cooter and Austin, do what they can with the players they have.
With an overall record of 27-21 (.563) with the Lions, Jim Caldwell is the most successful coach (Moeller coaching 7 games in 2000 doesn’t count) the franchise has had since Buddy Parker coached them from 1951-1956 with a record of 47-23-2 (.671). Think about that for a moment. Most of us were not alive, and some of your parents were not even alive then.
Jon Gruden isn’t coming. Bill Cowher isn’t coming. Tony Dungy isn’t coming. Would you be happier with Chip Kelly, or maybe Gus Bradley? The answer should be a resounding, “no” to that question. Love him, or hate him, Jim Caldwell is the right man for the Lions, and Bob Quinn knows what he is doing. Just check the report.
