After sitting out the last two years, Jim Caldwell has now gotten his second head coaching interview of 2022. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter), Caldwell is expected to interview for the Bears head coaching gig. Caldwell previously interviewed for the Jaguars HC job.
Caldwell, 66, served as the Dolphins’ quarterbacks coach in 2019 before health issues forced him to step aside. Fortunately, he’s said to be back to full health now, and it sounds like he’s ready for his next job.
Between his time with the Colts and Lions, Caldwell owns a career 62-50 record as a head coach with four playoff berths and one Super Bowl appearance. Caldwell’s last stop in Detroit saw him never finish with fewer than seven wins, but he was still canned following back-to-back 9-7 seasons.
Caldwell is now the 10th head coaching candidate for the position previously held by Matt Nagy. The group of candidates includes:
- Todd Bowles, defensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interview requested
- Brian Daboll, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interview requested
- Matt Eberflus, defensive coordinator (Colts): Interview requested
- Brian Flores, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/14
- Leslie Frazier, defensive coordinator (Bills): To interview 1/16
- Nathaniel Hackett, offensive coordinator (Packers): To interview 1/15
- Byron Leftwich, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interview requested
- Doug Pederson, former head coach (Eagles): Interviewed 1/12
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interview requested
Caldwell did a good job for the Lions with so-so talent. He’s a good staff builder as well.
Bears could do worse, just saying
My top 3 are Daboll, Pederson and Bowles. Not in any particular order. Amazed they didn’t interview Kellen Moore. Young coach and young QB grow together might have worked. They interviewed everyone else.
Daboll makes the most sense to me. You have to prioritize developing Fields and building new football decision-making in the building. Daboll’s work with Allen is exemplary, and he’s coming out of an organization that’s clearly built a strong culture, with great collaboration between coach and GM and strong team building.
The Bears need someone who can manage a team, not a specialist on one side of the ball or the other.
Daboll could be that person, but Caldwell has a proven track record as a head coach, and was a mentor to Manning, Stafford and helped Joe Flacco win a SB. I think he would be a solid hire, and a good fit with Fields.
I wasn’t knocking Caldwell and I don’t disagree with you about him.