Former NFL coach Jim Caldwell was a possibility for the Commander position of OC, but he declined.
The Washington Commanders fired offensive coordinator Scott Turner This was primarily because of the offense, which led to the team’s failure to reach the playoffs earlier in the week.
Ron Rivera, the head coach, was to leave the organization in search of a replacement. Mike Garafolo, of the NFL Network, reported Friday that Washington had contacted Jim Caldwell, former Lions and Colts coach for the vacant position as offensive coordinator. Caldwell declined to interview, stating that he was only interested in head-coaching positions.
Caldwell served as the Colts head coach from 2009-11. He was also the Colts assistant quarterbacks coach and head coach. Caldwell was fired from the Colts. He spent two seasons as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator. Caldwell was appointed the Detroit Lions head coaching position in 2014.
Caldwell had a record of 36-28 in four seasons with the Colts but was fired unceremoniously after 2017. Caldwell’s winning percentage with the Lions was the best by a Detroit head coach since the 1950s.
Caldwell, who was fired by the NFL in 2018, returned to the Miami Dolphins in 2019 as the assistant coach and quarterbacks’ coach. Caldwell wasn’t retained by Miami after the 2019 season and hasn’t coached in the NFL since that time.
Caldwell reportedly has already interviewed with the Carolina Panthers as well as the Detroit Lions to fill their vacant head-coaching roles. Caldwell isn’t considered a frontrunner for either job, but the 67-year-old veteran coach has made it clear he’s not interested in being an assistant coach at this point in his career.
With a career record of 62-50, you can’t blame Caldwell.
Per Ian Rapoport, the Commanders weren’t the only team who have tried to hire Caldwell as an offensive coordinator, and he declined.
As for the Commanders, the revelation Rivera was interested in Caldwell likely isn’t going to excite Washington fans — not because Caldwell isn’t a respected coach.
One of the biggest complaints against Rivera is he only hires coaches he’s worked with in the past, often opting for familiarity over a higher ceiling. While he hasn’t worked with Caldwell, general manager Martin Mayhew did hire Caldwell in Detroit.
The only names currently linked to the vacant job are Ken Zampese, Washington quarterbacks coach, and Caldwell.
Check out the List
11 potential candidates for the next Commanders offensive coordinator
