Lions To Hire Caldwell As Head Coach: Report

The Detroit Lions will hire Jim Caldwell as their head coach, according to a report on the NFL's website on Tuesday.

Former Indianapolis Colts head coach Caldwell will succeed Jim Schwartz, who was fired after Detroit went 7-9 in the 2013 season, the article said, citing an informed source and a senior writer of the Lions' website.

Caldwell, 58, spent three seasons as the Colts' coach from 2009 to 2011, leading the team to a berth in the 2010 Super Bowl before spending the past two seasons as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens.

Caldwell could be a key to unlocking the potential of quarterback Matthew Stafford.

From 2002 to 2008, Caldwell was the Colts' offensive coordinator, and quarterback Peyton Manning gave him credit for helping him improve as a signal-caller.

Caldwell was fired after Indianapolis went 2-14 in 2011 with Manning sidelined for the season after having multiple surgeries on his neck.

After joining the Ravens, Caldwell helped energize the team's offense and spurred a Super Bowl-winning run last season behind quarterback Joe Flacco's improved play.

(Reporting by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Frank Pingue)