Names are already being thrown around as to who will replace Jim Caldwell after his firing as head coach of the Detroit Lions.
In what has been a rough 24 hours for many head coaches, another coach will be looking for work. Monday, the Detroit Lions fired head coach Jim Caldwell per multiple media reports. This comes following an extension he signed less than a year ago.
Caldwell compiled a 62-38 record with the Lions. In 2014, his first season with the team, he led them to an 11-5 record and a second-place finish in the NFC North. Their performance led them to a NFC Wild-Card birth, where they lost to the Dallas Cowboys. After a third-place finish the following year, Caldwell led the Lions back to the playoffs in 2016. The Seattle Seahawks were too much for them to handle in the NFC Wild-Card game and they fell once again.
There have been many names popping up as potential replacements for Caldwell. Michael Rothstein of ESPN did a masterful job of breaking it down. Two names from the New England Patriots have been put out there in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Another coach with New England ties, Houston defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel has been listed as a possibility.
Two names that make sense and two names that are on Rothstein’s list are Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich and quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo. Both have been instrumental in leading Carson Wentz to successful seasons over the past couple of years. Judging by Wentz’s development, it seems as though both of them understand how to develop quarterbacks.
Matthew Stafford does not need to be developed. He is after all a veteran quarterback. He threw for 29 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2017, so statistically he is on par with some of the best quarterbacks in the league.
Having coaches that are familiar with quarterbacks and can open an offense are always welcome. As Stafford enters the prime of his career, that is something that would be difficult to turn down. DeFilippo served as the quarterbacks coach of the Oakland Raiders from 2007-2007 and again from 2012-14. He was instrumental in the drafting of Derek Carr to Oakland, a move that has paid dividends.
Reich served as the offensive coaching staff assistant for the Indianapolis Colts in 2008 and then moved to the position of quarterbacks coach in 2009. He also served as the team’s wide receivers coach as well as taking the same position with the Arizona Cardinals in 2012. Prior to Philadelphia, he spent 2013-15 with the San Diego Chargers as their quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.
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Whomever the head coach may be, he will have a roster full of talent. Talent is not the problem on the Detroit roster. The fact that the Lions play in a crowded NFC North is perhaps one of the bigger issues, but if the Lions can find a head coach that makes everything click, the Lions will be back in the division title mix sooner rather than later.