Former Detroit Lions Coach Jim Caldwell Lands Big NFL Gig

Former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell hasn't coached in the NFL in about four years, but that's all about to change.

Caldwell, a Detroit favorite, just landed a big gig coaching for a promising team in the NFL.

Caldwell has been hired by Frank Reich to join the Carolina Panthers as a senior defensive assistant, according to multiple sources. Caldwell most recently was quarterbacks coach and assistant head coach for Brian Flores in Miami during the 2019 offseason. He left that job to deal with health issues. When he was with the Lions, Caldwell posted a 36-28 record in four seasons.

In December, Caldwell told "33rd team" that this would probably be the final year he pursed a major job in the NFL. In the message, he wrote, "I’ve had numerous opportunities to do other things, which I wanted to refrain from until I’ve exhausted every avenue in this area. I’m probably in my last hiring cycle. Obviously, I think teams are looking at a different sort of profile at this point. They’re looking for younger guys, for the most part. But, there’s been enough failures with guys that have no experience in the NFL that perhaps there’s some team owner who’s looking for a guy that’s had some experience and background and knows how to build a team and get them to where they’re winning, and winning consistently.