Jim Caldwell, an alumnus of the University of Iowa, is the current head coach of the Detroit Lions. Caldwell, though he now looks for talent in up-and-coming football players, was the starting definsive back for the Hawkeyes from 1973 to 1976. Through hard work and immense talent, Caldwell is the leader of a talented group of professional athletes. Her Campus UI was fortunate enough to interview Mr. Caldwell.
When did you first become interested in football?
I first became interested in football as a young child watching my favorite team, the Chicago Bears. I was a big fan of Gayle Sayers who was soft spoken and introspective off the field but a physical, fast and multidimensional on the field. He could run, throw, catch and return kicks. He was the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1965. I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to play Pop Warner football at the age of 10.
When you went to the University Iowa, did you ever see yourself becoming the head coach of a professional football team?
No, not at the onset. I enjoyed playing the game and trying to measure up to all the physical, mental and intellectual challenges it presented. But I thought that I would end up teaching school. While at the University of Iowa I played for two head coaches that I admired greatly, Frank Lauterbur during my freshmen year and Bob Commings my sophomore through my senior year. I was impressed with the impact they had in all phases on the lives of the young men on our team. I felt the attraction to the profession truly when I observed the way Coach Commings infused a winning attitude throughout a program that had been very average before his arrival. We were highly competitive and won more games during the early part of his tenure. After I finished playing I worked as a graduate assistant with the football team and realized that I had a knack for coaching and that I also wanted to be involved in an endeavor where I could make a difference in the lives of young people, hone my leadership skills, satisfy my intellectual curiosity and live somewhat vicariously through the men that I coached.
What is your favorite memory from college?
I would have to note three categories: 1 as a student, 2 as an assistant coach, and 3 as a head coach in college.
1. My favorite memory as a student at the University of Iowa was the great victory that we had over Penn State in 1976. We were underdogs playing on the road against one of the nation’s perennial powerhouse programs. I was a co-captain on that team and we won by the narrowest of margins 7-6 yet it was a memorable win that created a lot of excitement on campus, in the city and the state.
2. My favorite moment as an assistant coach in college was winning the National Championship while at Penn State University in 1986. We were undefeated and had an opportunity to play at great University of Miami team in the Fiesta Bowl. The atmosphere was electric and it was one of the most highly anticipated games in college football history.
3. My most memorable moment as a college head coach at Wake Forest University was taking our team to the Aloha Bowl and winning against a good Arizona State team. It was also pretty special that I had a chance to coach my son who was a wide receiver on that team and caught a touchdown pass to spark a convincing victory.