Jim Schwartz

Defensive Coordinator

College: Georgetown

Biography

Year with Browns: 4th

Year as NFL coach: 27th

Key Notes

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 15th season as an NFL defensive coordinator and first with the Browns. Previously served as defensive coordinator with the Titans (2001-07), Bills (2014) and Eagles (2016-20). Helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII, while leading the NFL in rush defense that season (79.2 yards per game). During time as defensive coordinator, has helped seven different defensive linemen reach double-digit sacks in a season (eight total times).
As senior defensive assistant with Tennessee (2021-22), the Titans led the NFL in rushing yards allowed with 80.7 yards per game.

Year with Browns: 4th

Year as NFL coach: 27th

Key Notes

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 15th season as an NFL defensive coordinator and first with the Browns. Previously served as defensive coordinator with the Titans (2001-07), Bills (2014) and Eagles (2016-20). Helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII, while leading the NFL in rush defense that season (79.2 yards per game). During time as defensive coordinator, has helped seven different defensive linemen reach double-digit sacks in a season (eight total times).
As senior defensive assistant with Tennessee (2021-22), the Titans led the NFL in rushing yards allowed with 80.7 yards per game.
During his span as defensive coordinator for Philadelphia (2016-20), the Eagles ranked among the league leaders in several key categories including rushing yards (third with 99.1), third-down defense (third with 35.9 percent) and points allowed (tied for sixth with 21.8). DT Fletcher Cox made the Pro Bowl all five seasons under Schwartz and was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. S Malcolm Jenkins (twice) and DE Brandon Graham also earned Pro Bowl selections.
As defensive coordinator with the Bills in 2014, Buffalo led the NFL in sacks (54) and third-down conversion rate (33.2), while finishing second in scoring (16.9 points per game). Three Bills players reached career-highs in sacks as Mario Williams (14.5), Marcell Dareus (10.0) and Jerry Hughes (10.0) finished with double-digit sacks. All three were also selected to the Pro Bowl, while Williams and Dareus also earned first-team All-Pro honors.
Took over as head coach of the Lions after an 0-16 season and later 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). DT Ndamukong Suh earned first team All-Pro honors twice (second team once) and was selected to two Pro Bowls, while DT Nick Fairley also earned Pro Bowl honors.
During 10 seasons with Tennessee from 1999-2008, the Titans appeared in Super Bowl XXXIV, played in two AFC Championship games, captured three division titles and earned six playoff berths. As defensive coordinator (2001-08), the Titans defense contained several Pro Bowl players, including LB Keith Bulluck, DE Kevin Carter, CB Cortland Finnegan, DT Albert Haynesworth, S Chris Hope, DE Jevon Kearse and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch. In 2008, the Titans produced a league-best 13-3 regular season record.
Earned first NFL coaching role as a defensive assistant with the Ravens from 1996-98.
After coaching in the college ranks for four years (1989-1992), 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, including Ozzie Newsome, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, George Kokinis, Mike Lombardi and Phil Savage.
A native of Baltimore, Md., he attended Georgetown University, where he was a four-year letter winner at linebacker and earned his degree in economics. In 1988, was named a team captain for the Hoyas and earned Division III CoSIDA/GTE Academic All-America and All-America honors.
Schwartz and his wife, Kathy, have three children: Christian, Alison and Maria.

Jim Schwartz Coaching Background:

1989 University of Maryland, graduate assistant coach

1990 University of Minnesota, graduate assistant coach

1991 North Carolina Central University, secondary coach

1992 Colgate University, linebackers coach

1993-95 Cleveland Browns, college/pro scout

1996-98 Baltimore Ravens, defensive assistant

1999 Tennessee Titans, defensive assistant

2000 Tennessee Titans, linebackers coach/third down package coach

2001-08 Tennessee Titans, defensive coordinator

2009-13 Detroit Lions, head coach

2014 Buffalo Bills, defensive coordinator

2016-20 Philadelphia Eagles, defensive coordinator

2021-22 Tennessee Titans, senior defensive assistant

2023- Cleveland Browns, defensive coordinator

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