DETROIT, Mich. — Less than 24 hours after their presumed top choice took another job, the Detroit Lions have got their new head coach.
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell will be the franchise’s 25th head coach, according to reports on Tuesday.
Caldwell will replace Jim Schwartz, who was fired on December 30 after five seasons and one playoff appearance.
Many believe the Lions’ first choice for the job was then-Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, who Detroit GM Martin Mayhew was teammates with during their playing days in the NFL. Whisenhunt took the Tennessee Titans’ head coaching job Monday night.
Caldwell has 36 years of coaching experiences at both the college and professional levels. He was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2009-2011 and at Wake Forest from 1993-2000.
The Beloit, Wisconsin native was a four-year starter at defensive back for Iowa in the 1970’s.
