Detroit Lions release statement on Jim Caldwell hiring
By Josh Sanchez
The Detroit Lions announced on Tuesday morning that Jim Caldwell would be leaving his position with the Baltimore Ravens as offensive coordinator to accept the head coaching job with the team.
Lions owner William Clay Ford released a statement on the hiring Tuesday afternoon before the team’s introductory press conference.
“On behalf on my entire family, I want to express how thrilled we are with the appointment of Jim Caldwell as our new head coach,” Ford said. “We believe Jim is the right man to lead our team and deliver a championship to our fans. I also want to commend [team president] Tom [Lewand] and [General Manager] Martin [Mayhew] on the thoroughness of the coaching search. We had a very specific plan and profile for our next head coach, and I am convinced that we found that man in Jim Caldwell.”
Caldwell is an offensive mind, so it will be interesting to see what he will able to do with a talent like Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson in his arsenal.
Caldwell may not have been the team’s first pick — many believed that they would target San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt — but Caldwell will have the opportunity to prove that he was the right man for the job.