Denver Broncos head coaching profile: Jim Caldwell
Jim Caldwell could be a perfect head coach for the Denver Broncos. What kind of coaching experience would he bring to the table? I think if you’re someone who likes the idea of Frank Reich as a potential head coach for the Broncos, the idea of Jim Caldwell in the same role should be just as enticing.
I tend to look at Caldwell as a more experienced version of Reich. I think both men check every box that the team would want for their next head coach. It’s imperative that the Broncos get this right, and there is nothing wrong with opting for a safe hire.
So, what kind of coaching experience does Jim Caldwell have?
Denver Broncos head coaching profile: Jim Caldwell
Caldwell’s coaching career dates back to 1977, a full twenty years before I was born. He’s a true offensive mind, and each of his coaching roles that were not a head coaching gig is on the offensive side of the ball.
So, let’s list some of his coaching experiences:
- Iowa, 1977 (graduate assistant)
- Southern Illinois, 1978-1980 (wide receivers coach)
- Northwestern, 1981 (offensive assistant)
- Colorado, 1982-1984 (wide receivers coach)
- Louisville, 1985 (wide receivers coach)
- Penn State, 1986-1992 (quarterbacks coach)
- Wake Forest, 1993-2000 (head coach)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2001, (quarterbacks coach)
- Indianapolis Colts, 2002-2011 (assistant head coach, quarterbacks coach, head coach)
- Baltimore Ravens, 2012 (quarterbacks coach, interim offensive coordinator)
- Baltimore Ravens, 2013 (offensive coordinator)
- Detroit Lions, 2014-2017 (head coach)
- Miami Dolphins, 2019 (assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach)
Ever since 2001, Caldwell has been coaching in the NFL. He’s been a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at multiple stops in the NFL and in college football. He’s also been able to run and oversee some excellent offenses during his time as a coordinator, head coach, and quarterbacks coach.
If the Denver Broncos’ ownership group does value the opinion of Peyton Manning, Manning can use his nine years of experience playing for Caldwell to vouch for him. Manning won multiple MVP awards in this span playing for Caldwell.
Jim Caldwell was the QBs coach and interim offensive coordinator in 2012 when the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl and likely has something to do with the development of Tua Tagovalioa in Miami in 2019.
He went 26-22 as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and 36-28 as head coach of the Detroit Lions. He’s made the playoffs in four of his seven years as a head coach and has a career .554 winning percentage in the regular season.
I’m not sure what box he doesn’t check if the Denver Broncos were to pursue him for their vacancy. Since it’s been a while since he’s been a head coach in the NFL, I’d assume that he’d be a prime candidate to be an offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach.
For example, I’d personally love to see Jim Caldwell in one of those roles if the team were to hire Frank Reich as their next head coach. Both Reich and Caldwell overlapped in Indianapolis for a while, so there’s a connection there.
Caldwell would not be the sexiest hire, but he surely has a solid track record.