:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26896277/presser3.0.png)
The Detroit Lions formally introduced head coach Jim Caldwell at Ford Field on Wednesday. Team president Tom Lewand, general manager Martin Mayhew and Caldwell himself all spoke during the press conference, and team vice chairman Bill Ford Jr. met with the media following the presser. You can check out what they had to say below.
Tom Lewand
William Clay Ford is not here today. Lewand says he's "a little under the weather" at home.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 15, 2014
Lewand said goal of finding next head coach is to find someone who can win the NFC North in 2014 and win consistently. #Lions
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 15, 2014
Lewand said search was "A very thorough process. And Lions met w/several candidates, had discussions with many others some publicly known
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Lewand said two men fit the profile. Said they offered Ken Whisenhunt a chance to come and meet the Ford Family. Other was Caldwell.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 15, 2014
#Lions "wanted to have additional conversations" with Ken Whisenhunt, according to Tom Lewand. He was a finalist, along with Jim Caldwell.
— Pride Of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) January 15, 2014
Lewand: "Integrity, accountability, discipline, those are the kinds of things time in, time out when opeople were describing Jim Caldwell."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Lewand said where ever Caldwell has been, "he's left a positive mark."
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 15, 2014
Lewand: "Everyone who has come in contact with Jim Caldwell speaks highly (of him)."
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 15, 2014
Lewand: "Anyone who thinks we settled for Jim Caldwell doesn't know Jim Caldwell."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Tom Lewand said the Titans got further along with Whisenhunt than the #Lions did, and when asked why, wouldn't dive into Tennessee's plans.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 15, 2014
Lewand said the Lions will be looking at assistant coaches tonight and tomorrow.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 15, 2014
Tom Lewand, on possibly hiring Jim Tressel for staff: "If it helps us win, I'll tattoo a Buckeye on my forehead."
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 15, 2014
Lewand said Peyton Manning called Martin Mayhew on Caldwell's behalf, that Martin almost didn't take call cuz didn't recognize number
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Stafford also talked with Peyton Manning about Caldwell.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Lions president Tom Lewand said Jim Caldwell's contract is for four years, but wouldn't provide a $ amount.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 15, 2014
Martin Mayhew
Lions GM Martin Mayhew: "I’m excited and proud to have Jim Caldwell as my head coach."
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 15, 2014
Mayhew calls Caldwell a "leader of men" but didn't really know him before interviews.
— Carlos Monarrez (@cmonarrez) January 15, 2014
Mayhew said confidence, credibility and experience working with QBs were the traits the Lions liked in Jim Caldwell.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 15, 2014
Mayhew said Ozzie Newsome "gave Jim glowing recommendations." Bill Polian, Tony Dungy, too.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Mayhew: "He can scheme, he knows fundamentals, he was everything we thought he would be in the interview and more."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Mayhew: "It's got to be a fit, someone you can work with. I felt he was a guy I could work with."
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) January 15, 2014
Mayhew also said Schwartz deserves credit for re-instilling consistent work ethic on team. Caldwell can hone skills and take next step.
— Tom Leyden (@TomLeyden) January 15, 2014
Martin Mayhew said Lions talked to no college coaches in search.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 15, 2014
Mayhew: Throughout the process was most worried about Tennessee when it came to Whisenhunt, knew he had history there and with Webster.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Jim Caldwell
Jim Caldwell opens: "It's great to be a Detroit Lion."
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 15, 2014
Caldwell said he remembers the noise level in December at Ford Field. #Lions #Ravens. "Happy to be on this side of it."
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 15, 2014
Caldwell opens with describing the "unbelievable" atmosphere for his Ravens' MNF game last year at Ford Field.
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 15, 2014
Caldwell on the franchise: Says it has a great history of outstanding leadership #Lions
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 15, 2014
Caldwell: "The interview process was painstakingly difficult but necessary to find the right person for the job."
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 15, 2014
Caldwell said he's talked/texted with Stafford, Calvin, Suh, Tulloch since getting job. "I can feel and sense genuine excitement."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell: "They believe, and I believe, the time is now." Not two years, but now. As in right now.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 15, 2014
Caldwell called Beloit, Wisconsin, where he is from, a "poke and plum town." Poke your head out window, you're plum out of town.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 15, 2014
Jim Caldwell says he had his sights on the #Lions job from the start. Told his longtime attorney, "That’s the job for me." #WelcomeCoach
— Detroit Lions (@DetroitLionsNFL) January 15, 2014
Caldwell: "There’s a great nucleus here in all three phases and I believe we’re on the threshold of all three things."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell said his father worked in the auto industry. "The UAW took care of my family."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell began dating his wife when he was 15, been married 37 years. Have 4 children
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 15, 2014
Caldwell has four children and two grandchildren, ages 6 and 4.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 15, 2014
Caldwell: "Do you believe in providence? I certainly do." Says he believes he is here to "win a championship."
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 15, 2014
Caldwell: "I think there is a reason why I’m here and I think that is – without question – to win a championship."
— Mike Mady (@lionsreport) January 15, 2014
Jim Caldwell said he draws from his experiences with Joe Paterno, Tony Dungy, John Harbaugh, others
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 15, 2014
Caldwell: "We’re going to be smart, we’re going to be a football team that takes the field, that’s not going to shoot itself in the foot...
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Jim Caldwell's image of the #Lions: "Smart...disciplined...focused. It's gonna be drilled and drilled and drilled."
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 15, 2014
Caldwell: "We’re going to be a team that’s’ disciplined, that’s focused, that understands situational football."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell: "We’re going to have a fast football team. There’s nothing like a team with speed."
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 15, 2014
Caldwell on Stafford: "A quarterback that I think is just on the cusp of becoming an absolute outstanding player in this league."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell: "We’re going to flat get after you from the word go. Every single snap, offense, defense and in the kicking game."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell: "we want a competent group … That has expertise." #WelcomeCoach
— Detroit Lions (@DetroitLionsNFL) January 15, 2014
Caldwell talks about Fielding Yost and the desire to be "keener, finer, and more competent." #Lions
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 15, 2014
Caldwell says everyone has to have an ego in this business. Just not an ego problem. Important to draw distinction.
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 15, 2014
Caldwell: "I think humility is the glue that brings a team together."
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 15, 2014
Caldwell wants to create an environment where they can "encourage leadership."
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 15, 2014
Caldwell stressing important of "humility." I'm not sure I ever heard Jim Schwartz use that word.
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 15, 2014
Caldwell said the Lions are looking for "naturally motivated" players who are also passionate.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 15, 2014
Caldwell said he wants guys to be like "a piece of steel wrapped in velvet," tough on the field, civil off it.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell said he sat down with Stafford and talked, didn't watch film, when they met on interview. Talked of what it'll take to improve
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell said Stafford is "willing to do whatever it takes to get ready to win… without question you’re going to see him develop & take off"
— Mike Mady (@lionsreport) January 15, 2014
Caldwell on his stint w/Colts: "What I learned is the fact that communication is extremely important" Also, different ways to do things
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell has now quoted Fielding Yost, ancient greek philosophy, the Bible, John Wooden in his first moments as Lions coach.
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 15, 2014
Caldwell said "mental toughness keeps you out of situations" where you make big mistakes at the end of ball games.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 15, 2014
Caldwell didn't want to talk about his staff. Said it's an "ongoing process."
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 15, 2014
Caldwell on Stafford: "I have to look at him further and dig down deeper." Caldwell said he wants to learn what he does well.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) January 15, 2014
Caldwell said he believes in controlling the line of scrimmage, running ball, pass protecting and limiting penalties
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell said he wants the Lions to be in the top three at protecting the football.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 15, 2014
Caldwell: "We're more a 1-back then a 2-back ... We're a team that will certainly use the audible. .. We want to have the chalk last."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell: "We’re a team that does quite a bit at the line of scrimmage, but at a fast pace."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell says "without a doubt," #Lions will line up in 4-3 defense.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 15, 2014
Caldwell asked what makes him think he can overcome years of futility in Super Bowl era. Says "because I've been there before."
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 15, 2014
Caldwell on why he'll be successful: "I’ve been there before, I’ve done it before and not only that, I beleive in the young men we have"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell said "i'll be involved deeply in" play calling and QBs, but wouldn't say if he'll call plays.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell: "I spend very little time worrying about things I have no control over. About that long (snaps his fingers)"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
Caldwell says he understands wining championship is the goal. "There's no compromise in that."
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 15, 2014
Bill Ford Jr.
Bill Ford on Caldwell: "I think the image that has been written about him is very different than what he is." #WelcomeCoach
— Detroit Lions (@DetroitLionsNFL) January 15, 2014
Bill Ford Jr says he personally talked to Ken Whisenhunt.
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 15, 2014
Bill Ford Jr. said the #Lions had two Plan A's.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 15, 2014
Bill Ford Jr. said the Lions never made an offer to Ken Whisenhunt.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 15, 2014
Ford Jr. said he spoke to five coaching candidates, including Tony Dungy and Ken Whisenhunt (on the phone).
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 15, 2014
Bill Ford said he talked to 5 coaches in the search process, said the Lions had 2 Plan As and didn't get to finish the process with one
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2014
