Jim Caldwell retained as Detroit Lions head coach

Jim Caldwell will remain the Detroit Lions’ head coach after finishing 7–9 in 2015.

Jim Caldwell will remain the Detroit Lions’ head coach, the team announced Friday.

“After spending a significant amount of time together, it is clear that our football philosophies are very similar,” general manager Bob Quinn said in a statement. “Consequently, I am convinced he is the right man to lead our football team going forward. Jim’s entire body of work is impressive.”

Caldwell has served as the Lions’ head coach for the past two seasons. The team finished 11–5 in Caldwell’s first year with the team, but struggled in 2015, finishing third in the NFC North with a 7–9 record.

Quinn on retaining Caldwell: "it’s clear to me that this team believes in him and responds positively to his leadership."

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 15, 2016

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Caldwell previously served as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, with whom he went 26–22 over three seasons and led the team to the Super Bowl in 2009.

He has two years remaining on his four-year contract, but his job status became tenuous due to Detroit’s struggles this season and front office changes, including Bob Quinn replacing Martin Mayhew as general manager.

The announcement leaves the Tennessee Titans with the league's only vacant head coaching position. The Titans fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt in November.

- Erin Flynn