Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Caldwell ready to roam Super Bowl sidelines
1/31/2021 9:00:00 AM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Blue Raider Hall of Fame member Mike Caldwell accomplished a lot in his playing days at Middle Tennessee and in the NFL. On Feb. 7, he'll reach the pinnacle of his coaching career to date.
The former All-American Blue Raider linebacker is in his second season on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff. Naturally, he coaches the inside linebackers.
With their 31-26 win over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 24, the Bucs advanced to Super Bowl LV. It will be Caldwell's first time participating in the big game as a coach (he was on the Carolina Panthers' roster as a player when they went to the Super Bowl in 2003 but didn't play).
"It's been, really, an adjustable season with so many things going on with the [COVID-19] pandemic … but, on the field, it's been really exciting," Caldwell said. "Kansas City is a team that is really explosive … so our main focus is just eliminating big plays and going out there and playing our game."
Blue Raider fans from the early 1990s remember Caldwell as one of the best defensive players to ever don the blue-and-white jersey.
The Oak Ridge, Tennessee, native came to MT in 1989 and left four years later as an All-American and three-time Ohio Valley Conference champion. He recorded 248 career tackles, including a team-high 76 as a senior, when he also scored three defensive touchdowns en route to being named All-OVC, All-American and earning an invitation to the Blue-Gray All-Star game.
He was taken in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, starting a professional playing career that spanned 11 seasons with six different teams. Since retiring, he's coached with the Philadelphia Eagles (2008-12), Arizona Cardinals (2013-14) and New York Jets (2015-18) before being hired in Tampa Bay in 2019.
"There's so much I learned from Coach (Boots) Donnelly and the guys who were there before me that I've taken throughout my career," Caldwell said. "It's all about work ethic and knowing the moment is never too big.
"Coming from Middle, you learn you have to work for everything."
While he's obviously most remembered for his accolades on the gridiron, Caldwell has another bit of claim to fame at Middle Tennessee.
One of the reasons he came to Murfreesboro was because he wanted to play both football and baseball. He started seven games on the diamond for the Blue Raiders during the 1991 season, helping the team to a second straight OVC Tournament title and NCAA Regional appearance.
His brief stint on the baseball team was actually the third sport he played at MT. During the 1989-90 basketball season, several players were suspended after the infamous "Melee in Murfreesboro," a fight that broke out between the Blue Raiders and Tennessee Tech during a conference tilt. Caldwell and a few other football players were recruited to fill in for a few games.
"I went to Middle to be able to play football and baseball … and just loving to compete, I was able to get onto the court when they needed some guys," he said. "That was fun."
It's easy to see Caldwell's love he still has for his alma mater. He tries to follow along with every former Blue Raider in the NFL and makes it a point to reach out to them whenever their paths cross on the field.
Caldwell will get the chance to chat with two of his fellow Raiders after the Super Bowl. Cornerback Charvarius Ward and linebacker Darius Harris are vying for their second straight title as members of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Going against two former Middle Tennessee defenders, especially one of them being a linebacker, is a big point of pride for Caldwell.
"I'm always looking for the former Blue Raiders on every team's roster when we get the schedule every year," he said. "I'll definitely be able to talk to those two guys afterward. It's always good to have former Blue Raiders opposing you.
"I still have MTSU alumni on my license plate and take all bets from any of the Big Ten or SEC guys when MTSU goes against them. I'm really confident about Middle Tennessee."
Super Bowl Sunday simply can't get here fast enough for one of Middle Tennessee's all-time greats.
The former All-American Blue Raider linebacker is in his second season on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff. Naturally, he coaches the inside linebackers.
With their 31-26 win over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 24, the Bucs advanced to Super Bowl LV. It will be Caldwell's first time participating in the big game as a coach (he was on the Carolina Panthers' roster as a player when they went to the Super Bowl in 2003 but didn't play).
"It's been, really, an adjustable season with so many things going on with the [COVID-19] pandemic … but, on the field, it's been really exciting," Caldwell said. "Kansas City is a team that is really explosive … so our main focus is just eliminating big plays and going out there and playing our game."
Blue Raider fans from the early 1990s remember Caldwell as one of the best defensive players to ever don the blue-and-white jersey.
The Oak Ridge, Tennessee, native came to MT in 1989 and left four years later as an All-American and three-time Ohio Valley Conference champion. He recorded 248 career tackles, including a team-high 76 as a senior, when he also scored three defensive touchdowns en route to being named All-OVC, All-American and earning an invitation to the Blue-Gray All-Star game.
He was taken in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, starting a professional playing career that spanned 11 seasons with six different teams. Since retiring, he's coached with the Philadelphia Eagles (2008-12), Arizona Cardinals (2013-14) and New York Jets (2015-18) before being hired in Tampa Bay in 2019.
"There's so much I learned from Coach (Boots) Donnelly and the guys who were there before me that I've taken throughout my career," Caldwell said. "It's all about work ethic and knowing the moment is never too big.
"Coming from Middle, you learn you have to work for everything."
While he's obviously most remembered for his accolades on the gridiron, Caldwell has another bit of claim to fame at Middle Tennessee.
One of the reasons he came to Murfreesboro was because he wanted to play both football and baseball. He started seven games on the diamond for the Blue Raiders during the 1991 season, helping the team to a second straight OVC Tournament title and NCAA Regional appearance.
His brief stint on the baseball team was actually the third sport he played at MT. During the 1989-90 basketball season, several players were suspended after the infamous "Melee in Murfreesboro," a fight that broke out between the Blue Raiders and Tennessee Tech during a conference tilt. Caldwell and a few other football players were recruited to fill in for a few games.
"I went to Middle to be able to play football and baseball … and just loving to compete, I was able to get onto the court when they needed some guys," he said. "That was fun."
It's easy to see Caldwell's love he still has for his alma mater. He tries to follow along with every former Blue Raider in the NFL and makes it a point to reach out to them whenever their paths cross on the field.
Caldwell will get the chance to chat with two of his fellow Raiders after the Super Bowl. Cornerback Charvarius Ward and linebacker Darius Harris are vying for their second straight title as members of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Going against two former Middle Tennessee defenders, especially one of them being a linebacker, is a big point of pride for Caldwell.
"I'm always looking for the former Blue Raiders on every team's roster when we get the schedule every year," he said. "I'll definitely be able to talk to those two guys afterward. It's always good to have former Blue Raiders opposing you.
"I still have MTSU alumni on my license plate and take all bets from any of the Big Ten or SEC guys when MTSU goes against them. I'm really confident about Middle Tennessee."
Super Bowl Sunday simply can't get here fast enough for one of Middle Tennessee's all-time greats.
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Sunday, November 30
