Mike Caldwell (linebacker)
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |||||||||||||||||
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| Title | Linebackers coach | ||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
| Born | August 31, 1971 Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 235 lb (107 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||
| Position | Linebacker (No. 56, 52, 55, 59) | ||||||||||||||||
| High school | Oak Ridge | ||||||||||||||||
| College | Middle Tennessee State | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1993: 3rd round, 83rd overall pick | ||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||
Playing | |||||||||||||||||
Coaching | |||||||||||||||||
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| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||||
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| Coaching profile at Pro Football Reference | |||||||||||||||||
Isaiah "Mike" Caldwell, Jr. (born August 31, 1971) is an American football coach who is the current linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2022 to 2023.
Caldwell played college football as a linebacker at Middle Tennessee State University and was selected in the third round by the Cleveland Browns in the 1993 NFL draft.[1] Caldwell played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers.
Caldwell began his professional coaching career with the Eagles in 2008. He previously served as the linebackers coach for the Cardinals, and was the assistant head coach and inside linebackers coach for the New York Jets from 2015 to 2018. He served as the linebackers coach for the Buccaneers from 2019 to 2021 before being hired as the defensive coordinator for the Jaguars. He then served as the run game coordinator and linebackers coach for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024 before returning to the Buccaneers.
Playing career
College
Caldwell finished his career with 52 games played and 7 forced fumbles.[2] In 1992, he led the team with 76 tackles (47 solo, 29 assists). He was also a 3rd team All-American that year and 1st team Ohio Valley Conference selection.
National Football League
Caldwell made an immediate impact for the Cleveland Browns as a rookie under Bill Belichick and Nick Saban. He would finish with 42, 40, and 70 tackles from 1993 to 1995 with 3 interceptions. After 1 year with the Baltimore Ravens (54 Tackles, 4.5 Sacks, 1 INT) he signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 1997 and had 29 tackles with 2 Sacks and 1 INT.
From 1998 to 2001 he played with the Philadelphia Eagles accumulating 221 tackles with 5 Sacks and 3 INT. In 2002, he went to the Chicago Bears where he had 61 tackles and 3 Sacks before closing out his career with the Carolina Panthers, appearing in just 9 games.
Coaching career
Philadelphia Eagles
Caldwell was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as the defensive quality control coach in 2008. He was promoted to assistant linebackers coach on February 3, 2010.[3] He was promoted to linebackers coach on February 7, 2011.[4]
New York Jets
Caldwell was hired as assistant head coach and inside linebackers coach by the New York Jets on January 23, 2015.[5]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In 2019, Caldwell rejoined the staff of former Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians alongside former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. Caldwell earned his first Super Bowl title when the Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV.[6]
Jacksonville Jaguars
On February 17, 2022, Caldwell was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars as their defensive coordinator under head coach Doug Pederson.[7] On January 8, 2024, Caldwell and the entire Jaguars defensive staff were fired.[8]
Las Vegas Raiders
On February 23, 2024, Caldwell was hired by the Las Vegas Raiders as their linebackers coach and run game coordinator under head coach Antonio Pierce.[9] On January 30, 2025, it was announced that Caldwell was not retained by the Raiders' new general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll.[10]
Personal life
His niece, Nikki Caldwell, is president of the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA. His son Simeon is a 4 star S/LB recruit
References
- ^ "1993 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ^ Middle Tennessee Football 2014 Media Guide (PDF), 2014.
- ^ Spadaro, Dave (February 3, 2010). "More Moves On Coaching Staff". Philadelphiaeagles.com. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
- ^ "Eagles Elevate Mike Caldwell And Mike Zordich". Bleeding Green Nation. February 7, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
- ^ Lange, Randy (January 23, 2015). "Bowles, Jets Name Eight Position Coaches". New York Jets. Archived from the original on January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
- ^ "Super Bowl LV - Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 7th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ^ "Jaguars Finalize 2022 Coaching Staff". Jacksonville Jaguars. February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jaguars fire defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell, his staff after two seasons". NFL.com. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ^ "Raiders announce 2024 coaching staff". Las Vegas Raiders. February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ Bahns, Carter (February 4, 2025). "Ex-Auburn RB, assistant coach Cadillac Williams among Las Vegas Raiders coaches dismissed amid staff changes". 247Sports. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
External links
- Las Vegas Raiders profile
- Philadelphia Eagles profile Archived August 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine