Recap: Bob Quinn on Jim Caldwell firing, future of Lions

Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn is holding a press conference Monday to discuss the firing of Jim Caldwell as coach and the future of the franchise. You can follow the news here with live updates by James Hawkins of The Detroit News.

Quinn's opening comments on the firing of Jim Caldwell: "I talked to (Caldwell) this morning. We need a change of leadership of this team. Starting today, I'll be leading that search to find a new coach for the Detroit Lions.

"End of day, we want to take this team to the next level and that's winning championships...Ultimately the record we've had the last few years is on me."

"The search of the new head coach will be thorough and will include multiple candidates." Quinn added there is no timetable for the search and there will be updates after every interview is complete.

Quinn on hiring an offensive-minded coach: "My preference is to hire the best coach to help us win a championship. I’m going out to find the best coach."

Quinn on hire having previous head coaching experience: "It doesn’t matter. If he’s been a head coach previously, that would probably help. That’s not a prerequisite."

Quinn on what he looks for in a good coach: "Leadership, situational football, willingness to adapt to scheme and to players, someone that can lead this team with players we have and players we acquire and put them in the best position to win."

Quinn on rest of Lions coaching staff: Only offensive line coach Ron Prince has been released. Rest of the coaching staff is under contract.

Quinn on being prepared to make coaching search with two years as GM under belt: "I feel more comfortable since I've been in the seat for two years. Coming in I felt the best decision was to keep Jim (Caldwell) and this time I felt it was better to move on.”

Quinn on when decision to fire Caldwell was final: "Late last night."

Quinn on ownership's role in decision to fire Caldwell: "Decision on Coach Caldwell was mine and mine alone. The interview process will be me and Rod (Wood)."

Quinn on Teryl Austin and Matt Patricia being candidates: Not going to get into each candidate and any specifics. Only thing I'm going to comment on is when we finish each interview.

Quinn on decision say about the small window team has to win: "I think we have enough players to contend. Question is do we have enough players to get over the top? ... 30 percent of our team is going to be different, so my job is to make sure that new 30 percent is better.”

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