Detroit Lions Must Cut Ties with Entire Coaching Staff at Season's End

Life got a lot simpler for Detroit Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford this past Sunday.

True, her team lost despite her proclamation that she "expect[s] our team to compete, improve and win," per Brendan Savage of MLive Media Group. But she won't have to explain to fans next month why she believed it was time to move on from the entire coaching staff, not just head coach Jim Caldwell.

"

I'm old enough to remember when people suggested the Lions keep Caldwell so that we could keep Teryl Austin and Jim Bob Cooter

— Redruckus81 (@Redruckus81) December 13, 2015"

Even though the Lions could finish with a three-game win streak and a 7-9 record because Detroit's remaining opponents are all pretty horrible (Saints, 49ers, Bears), it won't matter. The loss to St. Louis was so dispiriting that the need to move on from this season—and all of the coaches who had a hand in it—cannot be assuaged with a little light cleaning.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Instead, this stain will require Mrs. Ford to clean house.

All corny analogies aside (sorry), the blame can't possibly all fall on Caldwell. There's simply too much to spread around to be contained to one coach.

For instance, Matthew Stafford cited offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter's aggressiveness when the Lions opted to throw to the end zone on third down against the Philadelphia Eagles instead of settling for a field goal before halftime. Thus, Cooter has ample control over the offense.

So why is Caldwell taking all of the heat for Calvin Johnson's quiet day in the one-score loss to the Rams?

"

Calvin Johnson with his first catch of the game with 2;25 to play.

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) December 13, 2015"

Not to mention, the overuse of screens has reached critical mass. The defenses are no longer surprised by them but seem to be anticipating them. That sounds an awful lot like the presumed justification for former offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi's dismissal in October.

And defensive coordinator Teryl Austin hasn't earned a pass either. All of those issues with the Hail Mary against the Green Bay Packers should be sourced back to the man in charge of that unit, regardless of what Caldwell tells the media.

Plus, there have been mind-boggling calls all year. He has placed linebackers on the opposite side of the field from their coverage assignments (spoiler: the receiver got open) and has been too loyal to veterans instead of adjusting the snap counts in favor of the better performers.

"

Why is Tapp getting reps over Taylor? Why is Ihedigbo even active?

— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) December 13, 2015"

The once-favored candidate as Detroit's head coach has weakened his case significantly with these odd choices, although first-year special teams coach Joe Marciano will have trouble landing an assistant job after this year. The Lions have burned multiple timeouts the past month because they haven't had the correct number of men on the field, like Green Bay's final field-goal attempt of Week 10. 

Of course, Caldwell fell on his sword for Marciano too:

"

#Lions Jim Caldwell testy today on Hail Mary issue. Didn't want to talk much about that. Took blame for the special teams issues.

— Max DeMara (@SportsGuyTheMax) December 7, 2015"

Lastly, Detroit needs to be careful about handcuffing any new hires.

Rod Wood, the new team president, has made it clear that he is "not qualified to run any other NFL team" and is only comfortable with this position because of "his connection to the Ford family,” per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

Therefore, Wood has made it clear that he doesn't plan to have much to do with the football side of things, per Birkett:

"

It'll be a clear line of demarcation. I'll be responsible for running the business side of the organization and the general manager will be in charge of the entire football side, players, coaches, etc. The only overlap might be making sure that our financial picture is sound as it relates particularly to player salaries, etc.

"

The Lions do not currently have anyone in house who should be choosing the men who will ultimately be making on-the-field decisions. Plus, the best way to attract a top-notch football mind is to give him complete control.

And whoever is chosen will hopefully be able to discern that the blame does stretch across the entire sideline. Because despite Caldwell's best efforts to save his staff, the smell of gasoline from this dumpster fire is on everyone's hands.

Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter @BrandonAlisoglu.