Lions To Keep Jim Caldwell As Head Coach

Following a disappointing 7-9 season which had more up and downs than a roller coaster, the Detroit Lions' new General Manager, Bob Quinn, has chosen to bring back head coach Jim Caldwell for another season.

Needless to say, the reaction is mixed, much like the 2015 season.

After starting the 2015 season 1-7, the Lions installed Jim Bob Cooter as their offensive coordinator, and immediately went on a 6-2 run to end the season, leaving many to wonder if they could build on that momentum next year.

Albert Breer is reporting that

Quinn has decided to give the coach another shot at improving the team. Many feel Cooter's tutelage of star quarterback Matthew Stafford was the main reason for the second half turnaround, which featured an upset of division leader Green Bay.

To keep Cooter, Quinn may have figured he needed to

keep Caldwell and see what the duo can do with a full season, rather than start from scratch again.

"I think Coach Caldwell's far from losing us," receiver Golden Tate said in October, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. "I know he still has my attention and the respect that we give him. In the meeting today and last week and the week before and all year, we trust in Coach Caldwell."

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Looming over any decision the team made is the bomb star wide receiver Calvin Johnson dropped earlier this month, saying he may retire early.

Most football analysts are applauding Quinn's decision, saying Caldwell held the best chance for the Lions to be a contender in 2016. Bleacher Report's Tyler Conway put it this way:

...it's worth noting the Lions were essentially one miraculousAaron Rodgers touchdown toss away from finishing 8-8. And with six wins over their final eight games, the Lions looked rejuvenated down the stretch as they topped the Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders,Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears, among others.
There's evidently loads of room for improvement, but with a developing offense replete with weapons and a stingy defense touting tremendous young pass-rushing talent, the Lions could emerge as a formidable NFC foe in 2016.

Categories: Michigan News, West Michigan News