Jim Caldwell in demand for head coaching jobs
He has already interviewed for one head coaching job, but former Lions’ head coach Jim Caldwell is apparently in demand for other openings.
The Green Bay Packers have gotten a head start on their head coaching search, interviewing Jim Caldwell and Chuck Pagano already. Pagano’s appeal is limited, but according to Michael Lombardi of The Athletic Caldwell will interview for two more head coaching openings outside of Green Bay.
Less than a week ago, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Caldwell planned to return to the NFL in 2019 and was “expected to be on some team’s list of candidates.”
In four seasons (2014-17) as head coach of the Detroit Lions, Caldwell had a 36-28 record with three winning seasons and two playoff appearances.
He was also head coach of the Indianapolis Colts for three seasons (2009-11), with a 26-22 record, two double-digit win seasons and a Super Bowl appearance in his first season after taking over for Tony Dungy.
Caldwell has experience working with Peyton Manning and Matthew Stafford, and he helped raise Joe Flacco to a Super Bowl MVP-level after stepping in as Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator toward the end of the 2012 regular season.
That would seem to make him a good fit for Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers, but the Packers will apparently have some competition for Caldwell’s services.
With Todd Bowles on his way out, the New York Jets could be one of the other two teams set to interview Caldwell. A team looking to revive a veteran quarterback, like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Denver Broncos, could also be in the mix.
Both of those latter teams could wind up pursuing Flacco, which would further strengthen a possible fit with Caldwell.
I am told Jim Caldwell will have two more interviews besides Green Bay and is organizing staff members for his potential return to the NFL.
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) December 27, 2018
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Caldwell is the dictionary definition of a retread, mediocre head coach. But in a thin market, which may or may not include big names like John Harbaugh or Jim Harbaugh and lacks buzz-worthy coordinators in line to make a jump, the safe, uninspiring route may be the one for a lot of teams looking to make a coaching change.