Former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy has expressed his belief that Jim Caldwell would be a good appointment as the next Detroit Lions head coach.

The Lions have been looking for a new coach since sacking Jim Schwartz at the end of last month, with their reported first choice, Ken Whisenhunt, opting to join the Tennessee Titans instead.

Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Caldwell is now thought to be the front-runner for the job and Dungy, who worked with Caldwell with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Colts, believes that it would be a successful move.

"I already had told [Lions GM] Martin Mayhew that Caldwell is a great match for a team that has the personnel of being capable of playing in the Super Bowl," Dungy is quoted as saying by ESPN.

"I think the Lions were not only impressed with Jim's interview but they were pleasantly surprised by the number of former Colts players who called on his behalf. Jim made Peyton Manning an even better quarterback - look at the numbers and wins - and I think he can do the same for Matthew Stafford.

"I know the Lions also want discipline and good character in the locker room. I'm not saying their other candidates can't achieve those things, but those are Jim's strengths with his background, especially from his influence under Joe Paterno at Penn State and hopefully in our program in the NFL."

The Lions finished with a 7-9 record this season, losing six of their last seven games to miss out on the playoffs.