Panthers fire former Lions RB coach, but ex-Lions head coach gets promotion

When the Detroit Lions released Duce Staley from his contract this February to join Frank Reich’s staff with the Carolina Panthers, both parties deemed it the best decision to allow Staley to be close to his mother, Tena, who was facing an illness. In the same calendar year, he finds himself without a job.

On Monday afternoon, the Panthers confirmed reports of Staley’s dismissal as part of extensive changes within the organization. This move followed Panthers owner David Tepper’s decision to dismiss Reich as head coach following the team’s 1-10 record.

Before joining the Panthers, Staley spent the previous two seasons with the Lions, a role now occupied by his successor, Scottie Montgomery. Prior to his time with the Lions, Staley’s coaching journey began with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent the first decade of his career.

After missing out on elevated roles in Philly, he joined Dan Campbell’s inaugural coaching staff (2021) in Detroit, aiming to move closer to a head coaching position.

Under Staley’s guidance, the Lions’ backfield duo of D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams contributed to the team’s impressive 128.2 rushing yards per game last season, the highest since Barry Sanders’ MVP season in 1997.

In tandem with Staley’s departure, former Lions head coach Jim Caldwell has been promoted. In the reorganization of the coaching staff in Carolina, Caldwell, already serving as the senior assistant, now assumes the role of special advisor to Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who will take charge of the team’s play-calling duties.

Caldwell, 68, previously led the Lions from 2014-2017, amassing a record of 36-28, including two playoff appearances. Despite being one of the Lions’ most successful coaches in team history, playoff success eluded Caldwell, with defeats to the Dallas Cowboys (2014) and Seattle Seahawks (2017) in the Wildcard round of the NFL playoffs.

After consecutive 9-7 seasons, former Lions general manager Bob Quinn dismissed Caldwell, emphasizing that a 9-7 record was insufficient, particularly citing the team’s 1-7 record against .500 opponents during Caldwell’s tenure.

During Week 5 of the current season, both Staley and Caldwell returned to Ford Field when the Lions hosted the Panthers, with the Lions emerging victorious with a 42-24 win.