The Detroit Lions have fired head coach Jim Caldwell after four seasons.
“I feel like there was a need to change the leadership of this team,” said Lions GM Bob Quinn.
Quinn said his first priority is finding the best head coach before looking at the offensive coordinator and quarterback.
“This is a results business. It comes down to winning championships,” he said.
Martha Ford, Lions owner and chairman, released the following statement regarding the decision:
“On behalf of my family and the Lions organization I would like to thank Jim Caldwell for his exemplary leadership and service to our team and our community over the past four years.
“I believe Jim is one of the finest leaders we’ve ever had as our head coach. Not only did he guide us on the field to three winning seasons, but he also set a standard of excellence off the field that had a tremendous impact on everyone in our organization and our entire community.
“As many of our players have already said, his influence on them transcended the game of football and will positively serve them throughout their lives.
“Our organization is better because of Jim, and we are forever grateful. We wish Jim, his wife Cheryl and the entire Caldwell family all the best that life can offer.”
Reports initially surfaced on Saturday that Sunday's season finale against Green Bay (a 35-11 Lions win) would be Caldwell's last game as head coach.
Caldwell, hired in 2014 to replace Jim Schwartz, compiled a 36-28 regular-season record with the Lions, including a 9-7 record in 2017. He also coached Detroit in playoff losses to Dallas in the 2014-15 NFC Wild Card round and Seattle in the 2016-17 NFC Wild Card round.
Detroit's 7-9 finish in 2015 marked the only time during Caldwell's tenure that the team finished below .500.
Caldwell was given a contract extension before the 2017 season -- initially reported as a three-year extension, but later turned out to be a one-year extension with an option for additional seasons.
In late November, the Lions had their sights set on an NFC North title following road wins at Minnesota, Green Bay, and Chicago, but were unable to win the division and ultimately were eliminated from playoff contention on December 24 after a loss at Cincinnati.
