CLEVELAND — Nearly one week after firing Joe Woods, the Cleveland Browns have their man. On Wednesday, the Browns officially announced that they have hired Tennessee Titans senior defensive assistant Jim Schwartz as their new defensive coordinator.
"Jim Schwartz has been an outstanding coach in this league for a very long time, and we are thrilled that he is joining our staff to lead our defense as the defensive coordinator," Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said in a statement. "Jim has seen defensive success at each of his coaching stops because he knows how to get the best out of his players and will match scheme to suit strengths. Jim is a passionate leader who believes in teaching fundamentals. We're excited about the vast experience he brings to our staff to meet the demands it takes to consistently defend the varying offenses in the AFC North and across the National Football League."
A native of Baltimore, Schwartz is no stranger to Cleveland as he began his 30-year career in the NFL in 1993 as a personnel scout with the Browns. When the franchise moved to Baltimore, so did Schwartz, as he served as an outside linebackers coach with the Ravens from 1996-98.
Following the firing of head coach Ted Marchibroda, Schwartz joined the Titans staff as a defensive assistant. In 2001, he was promoted to defensive coordinator — a role he held until 2009, when he was hired as the head coach of the Detroit Lions.
In five seasons as the Lions head coach, the former Georgetown linebacker amassed a 29-51 record. His best season came in 2011 when Detroit went 10-6 and earned its first playoff appearance since the 1999 season.
After being fired by the Lions following the 2013 season, Schwartz was hired as the defensive coordinator on Doug Marrone's staff with the Buffalo Bills. After Marrone exercised an out clause following the sale of the Bills, and the conclusion of the season, Schwartz joined the Philadelphia Eagles as head coach Doug Pederson's defensive coordinator.
In 2017, Schwartz oversaw a Philadelphia defense that ranked fourth in yards allowed and fourth in scoring as the Eagles went on to defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. He resigned from Philadelphia following the 2021 season before returning to Tennessee as an assistant on head coach Mike Vrabel's staff with the Titans.
In addition to Schwartz, the Browns interviewed Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach Brian Flores, Seattle Seahawks defensive assistant Sean Desai and Philadelphia Eagles defensive passing game coordinator Dennard Wilson for their vacant defensive coordinator position.