Jim Schwartz facts for kids
Schwartz with the Tennessee Titans in 2021
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| Cleveland Browns | |
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| Position: | Defensive coordinator |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | June 2, 1966 Halethorpe, Maryland, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Mount Saint Joseph (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| College: | Georgetown |
| Career history | |
| As coach: | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Head coaching record | |
| Regular season: | 29–51 (.363) |
| Postseason: | 0–1 (.000) |
| Career: | 29–52 (.358) |
| Coaching stats at PFR | |
Jim Schwartz (born June 2, 1966) is a well-known American football coach. He is currently the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL).
Schwartz has a lot of experience coaching defense. He was the head coach for the Detroit Lions from 2009 to 2013. He also worked as a defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, and Philadelphia Eagles. In 2018, he helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII, which is a huge achievement in football!
Jim Schwartz is known for building strong defenses. He likes to focus on powerful players on the defensive line, like defensive tackles and defensive ends. Many of the players he coached became top stars, earning spots on the All-Pro First Team and Pro Bowl. Some of these players include Albert Haynesworth, Ndamukong Suh, Marcell Dareus, Mario Williams, Fletcher Cox, and Myles Garrett.
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Early Life and College Football
Jim Schwartz was born near Baltimore, Maryland. He went to Mount Saint Joseph High School, where he played football.
After high school, Schwartz played college football at Georgetown University. He was a linebacker for the Hoyas for four years. He studied economics and even earned special honors for his studies. In 1988, he was named an Academic All-America and was a team captain.
Coaching Journey in the NFL
Starting Out in the NFL
Jim Schwartz began his NFL coaching career with the Cleveland Browns in the mid-1990s. He did research for coach Bill Belichick during this time.
Later, he became the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans from 2001 to 2008. During these years, other NFL teams noticed his talent. He was considered for head coaching jobs with teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, and Atlanta Falcons.
In January 2009, the Detroit Lions decided to hire Schwartz as their new head coach. One of his former players, Albert Haynesworth, called Schwartz a "mastermind" because of his successful defensive strategies.
Leading the Detroit Lions
The 2009 season was Jim Schwartz's first year as the Lions' head coach. The team won two games that year.
In 2010, the Lions started with a tough record but finished strong. They won their last four games of the season.
The 2011 season was a big one for the Lions. They made it to the playoffs for the first time since 1999! They secured their spot after a big win against the San Diego Chargers. However, they lost their first playoff game to the New Orleans Saints.
The 2012 season saw the team start well but then lose their final eight games. They finished last in their division.
In 2013, the Lions had a good start, leading their division. But they struggled towards the end of the season, losing six of their last seven games. After five seasons as head coach, Jim Schwartz was no longer with the team on December 30, 2013.
Time with the Buffalo Bills
On January 24, 2014, Schwartz became the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. His defense was one of the best in the NFL that year, leading the league in sacks (tackling the quarterback).
The Bills had a winning record of 9–7, which was their first winning season in ten years. Several of their defensive players, like Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus, and Mario Williams, were chosen for the Pro Bowl. After the season, the Bills got a new head coach, and Schwartz moved on.
Winning a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles
On January 19, 2016, Jim Schwartz was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. He quickly made a big difference for the team's defense.
He changed their defensive strategy, and the Eagles' defense improved a lot. In his second season, the defense was ranked fourth in both yards and points allowed. This strong defense helped the Eagles win their first-ever Super Bowl championship in Super Bowl LII in 2018!
On January 7, 2021, Schwartz decided to take a break from coaching due to health reasons and left the Eagles.
Returning to the Titans and Joining the Browns
Schwartz returned to the Tennessee Titans as a senior defensive assistant on April 7, 2021. He stayed with them for two seasons.
On January 18, 2023, Jim Schwartz was hired by the Cleveland Browns as their defensive coordinator. In his first season with the Browns, his defense was outstanding. They led the NFL in several important categories, including overall defense and passing defense. The Browns' defense allowed the fewest yards per game since 2014. Because of his great work, Schwartz was named the 2023 AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.
Personal Life
Jim Schwartz is married to Kathy. They have three children: twins named Christian and Alison, and a younger daughter named Maria.
