The Browns are interviewing defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz on Thursday for the team's head coach opening.
Schwartz is one of two candidates who are interviewing on Thursday, as the Browns are also conducting an interview with offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.
Schwartz, 59, has served as the Browns defensive coordinator for three seasons. He re-joined the organization in 2023 after initially breaking into the NFL as a college/pro scout with the Browns from 1993-95.
In his first two seasons as defensive coordinator with Cleveland, the Browns ranked first in the NFL in first downs allowed (556), first in third down percentage (32.6), second in passing yards allowed per game (188.6) and third in total yards allowed per game (306.1). In 2023, the Browns' defense led the NFL in several categories including total defense (270.2 yards per game), passing defense (164.7 yards per game), third down percentage (67-of-230 for 29.1 percent) and first downs allowed (253). The team's 270.2 net yards allowed per game were the fewest allowed in the NFL since the 2014 Seahawks (267.1). Schwartz was then named the 2023 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year after his first season as defensive coordinator.
The Browns ended the 2025 regular season once again toward the top of the league, allowing the fourth-fewest total yards per game at 283.6 yards and third-fewest passing yards per game at 167.2 yards. They also finished third in the league with 53 sacks and set the franchise record for sacks by a Browns team in a season. DE Myles Garrett broke the NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks.
Schwartz has been a defensive coordinator for 17 seasons, previously serving as defensive coordinator with the Titans (2001-08), Bills (2014) and Eagles (2016-20). He helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII, while leading the NFL in rush defense that season (79.2 yards per game). During his time as a defensive coordinator, he helped eight different defensive linemen reach double-digit sacks in a season (10 total times).
Schwartz also brings experience as a head coach, serving as the head coach for the Detroit Lions from 2009-13. He directed the Lions to a 10-6 record in 2011, marking Detroit's first postseason appearance since 1999. In 2011, the Lions' defense led the NFL and set a franchise record with seven return touchdowns (five interceptions and two fumbles).
After coaching in the college ranks for four years from 1989-92, Schwartz entered the NFL in 1993 as a college/pro scout for the Browns beginning as an unpaid intern. While in Cleveland, he worked with head coach Bill Belichick, defensive coordinator Nick Saban and several members of the personnel department that went on to become NFL general managers. He then earned his first NFL coaching role as a defensive assistant with the Ravens from 1996-98.
Bio Blast
Jim Schwartz –Browns defensive coordinator
Age: 59
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
College: Georgetown
NFL experience: 29 years
