The Lions yesterday fired coach Jim Caldwell after four seasons, and GM Bob Quinn will "embark immediately on a search for a replacement," according to Dave Birkett of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. Caldwell posted the "highest regular-season winning percentage (.563) of any full-time Lions coach in the Super Bowl era, but his 36-28 record included just four victories over teams that finished above .500, and he went 0-2 in the playoffs" (FREEP.com, 1/1). Birkett writes Caldwell's firing began what Quinn "said will be a thorough and exhaustive search to find a replacement who can bring a Super Bowl to Detroit." Quinn and Lions President Rod Wood will "handle all interviews over the next few weeks." Quinn said that Lions players "won't be involved in the process" and Owner Martha Firestone Ford will "not take part in interviews" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/2). Quinn said that he "reached the conclusion to move on from Caldwell Sunday night" (MLIVE.com, 1/1).
DISSECTING THE MOVE: In Detroit, Mitch Albom in a front-page piece writes Caldwell's firing is the "fairest thing you can say about a fair main who behaved fairly is that this was a fair conclusion." Albom: "It's the NFL. Treading water is the same as going backward." A sign that Caldwell's "effectiveness was waning" was that "every player loved him." Even after "disappointing losses, they hailed him a great guy." In the NFL, that is "not a good sign" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/2). Also in Detroit, Carlos Monarrez writes Caldwell's "lasting legacy is that he finally raised the bar." He finally brought the Lions to a "turning point and forced a historically bad organization to take the bold step of firing a respected coach who was good, but not good enough." Ford, Quinn and the Lions "deserve praise for taking this step" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/2).
THE MIGHTY QUINN: In Detroit, Bob Wojnowski writes in "strong words and deeds, Quinn just stamped his imprint on the franchise." The decision to part ways with Caldwell was "noteworthy for its departure from the norm here, and impressive in its clarity." This was "all Quinn, without apparent influence" from Ford. The Lions "should be a prime job" (DETROIT NEWS, 1/2). The FREE PRESS' Birkett writes by letting go of Caldwell, the "most important thing Quinn did was raise the level of expectations" for a Lions franchise that has been "mostly mediocre -- and often much less -- for generations." It is "clear he and the Lions believe their window to win is now, and the next Lions coach must capitalize on the opportunity." The Lions are at an "important point in franchise history." They just "locked up maybe the best quarterback the organization has ever seen, while in the prime of his career, for another five seasons, and Quinn has the roster positioned well for the future" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/2). In Detroit, Shawn Windsor writes Quinn is "on the clock." Quinn's record as a GM the first two years "is mixed," but it is "up to Quinn to get it done." Windsor: "Hire the wrong coach, and he will be gone, too." Quinn said of his decision to fire Caldwell, "At the end of the day, I want to take this team to the next level, and to me that's winning ... the Super Bowl" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/2).
