Ex-Lions coach Jim Caldwell not retiring, still wants to coach in NFL

Jim Caldwell dodged a question last week about whether he planned to coach in 2018, saying it hinged on "what the Lord has planned for me."

And when he brought his three children and three grandchildren to his final postgame news conference as Lions coach Sunday, some took it as a sign that if his time in Detroit was up he might be content to hang up his whistle as NFL coach.

But a day after Caldwell was fired by the Lions, Fritz Pollard Alliance chairman John Wooten said Caldwell not only wants to be a head coach in the NFL again, he wants to do it in 2018.

"It's a wide-open thing," Wooten said. "There’s quite a few openings right now and you never know who’s going to look at what and see how it goes. But he still has interest."

Caldwell went 36-28 in four seasons as Lions coach and led the team to two playoffs appearances.

He was fired Monday with one year left on his contract in a move that general manager Bob Quinn said was done for football reasons and to find a coach who could lead the Lions to the Super Bowl.

Caldwell, who turns 63 this month, previously spent three seasons as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, where he amassed a 26-22 record with two playoff trips and one Super Bowl appearance.

Wooten, whose organization helps promote minority candidates for NFL front office and coaching opportunities, said Caldwell's resume makes him a viable candidate for any opening.

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"He did a heck of a job (with the Lions) and I think he’s a heck of a coach and I hope that he can get another shot somewhere else," Wooten said.

Besides the Lions, five NFL teams have coaching vacancies: the Colts, Giants, Raiders, Cardinals and Bears.

The Raiders appear close to hiring Jon Gruden as head coach, and Wooten said he's not aware if any other teams have interest in Caldwell.

Lions owner Martha Ford released a statement Monday calling Caldwell "one of the finest leaders (the Lions have) ever had as our head coach," and several players said they hope to see him in the NFL next season.

"He’ll get a job in no time," defensive tackle Akeem Spence said. "People love him. People love to play him. I love to play for him, so it just sucks. This part sucks."

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!