James J. Schwartz (born June 2, 1966) is an American professional football coach who is the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He was head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2009 to 2013. He was also defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans from 2001 to 2008, Buffalo Bills in 2014, and Philadelphia Eagles from 2016 to 2020. In addition, Schwartz was the Senior Defensive Assistant for the Titans from 2021 to 2022. He won Super Bowl LII with the Eagles in 2018.
As a defensive-minded coach who emphasizes strong defensive line play, Schwartz is known to build his units around dominant interior linemen.
Early life
Schwartz was born just outside Baltimore, Maryland, and attended Mount Saint Joseph High School, an all-male Catholic school, where he played football.
[ The Mount Winter 09] Schwartz was a four-year letterman at
linebacker for the Hoyas of Georgetown University, where he earned his degree in economics. He received Distinguished Economics Graduate honors
at Georgetown and earned numerous honors in 1988, including Division III CoSIDA/GTE Academic All-America, All-America, and team captain.
Coaching career
Early coaching career
Schwartz got his start in the NFL doing research for
Bill Belichick on the
Cleveland Browns staff in the mid-1990s. Schwartz served as the
Tennessee Titans' defensive coordinator from 2001 to 2008.
During his time with Tennessee, Schwartz was considered for several different NFL head coaching openings. He was a candidate for the San Francisco 49ers' head coaching position in 2005, but the job went to
Mike Nolan.
In January 2008, he interviewed for head coaching positions with the Washington Redskins,
and
Atlanta Falcons.
reported on January 15, 2009, that the
Detroit Lions had decided to hire Schwartz as head coach.
[ The Detroit News January 16, 2009 Lions Pick Schwartz] Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who Schwartz led to stardom in Tennessee, would later call the coordinator a "mastermind" due to the success he found in his defensive schemes.
Detroit Lions
The 2009 season was Schwartz's first as Detroit's head coach and he posted a 2–14 record, with victories coming against the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Browns.
[ 2009 Detroit Lions. Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2012.]
In 2010, Schwartz saw his Lions begin the season with a 2–10 record, but they finished with four consecutive wins against the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Minnesota Vikings.[ 2010 Detroit Lions. Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2012.]
In 2011, the Lions returned to the postseason for the first time since 1999, clinching a playoff berth following a 38–10 victory over the San Diego Chargers.[ 2011 Detroit Lions. Pro Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 25, 2012.]
The Lions started the 2012 season with a 4–4 record, but they then dropped their final eight games to end the year at 4–12.[ 2012 Detroit Lions. Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved January 4, 2013.] They finished in last place in the NFC North, as every other division member won at least ten games.[ 2012 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics. Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved January 4, 2013.] Following the season, Schwartz and his staff led the South Team to a 21–16 triumph in the 2013 Senior Bowl.
The Lions started the 2013 season with a 6–3 record and gained control of the NFC North, the Lions proceeded to drop six of their next seven games to end the year at 7–9. Schwartz was fired on December 30, 2013, following five seasons as head coach.
Buffalo Bills
On January 24, 2014, Schwartz was hired by the
Buffalo Bills as the defensive coordinator. Schwartz's defense was one of the top defenses statistically in the NFL, and led the league in sacks.
During the 2014 season, the Bills went 4–0 against
NFC North opponents, which Schwartz had coached against for the previous five seasons. On October 5, 2014, the Bills defeated Schwartz's former team, the Detroit Lions, by a final score of 17–14, in Detroit.
Schwartz was carried off the field by his players after the game. Some Lions players, especially
Golden Tate,
were upset by Schwartz's decision to be carried off the field against his former team. The Bills ended the season fourth in the NFL in points and yards allowed per game with 18.1 and 312.2, respectively, while ranking third in takeaways with 30.
The Bills also finished with their first winning record in ten years at 9–7, with defensive linemen Kyle Williams,
Marcell Dareus and
Mario Williams being named to the Pro Bowl and the latter two being named First-Team All-Pro.
Despite the success, head coach
Doug Marrone resigned at the end of the season and new Bills coach
Rex Ryan decided to bring in his own personnel, rather than retaining Schwartz.
2015 season
For the 2015 season, Schwartz took a consulting position with the NFL's officiating department to provide a coach's perspective on officiating decisions.
On October 6, Schwartz declined the opportunity to replace
Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator
Kevin Coyle.
Philadelphia Eagles
On January 19, 2016, Schwartz was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles to be their defensive coordinator under coach
Doug Pederson.
Inheriting one of the league's worst defenses, Schwartz made an immediate impact. Implementing his 4-3 defense, Schwartz turned around the defense that previously ranked 30th in yards allowed and 28th in points allowed to 13th and 12th in his first season and fourth in both categories during his second.
He would eventually lead the defense to his and the Eagles' first Super Bowl championship in Super Bowl LII.
On January 7, 2021, Schwartz announced that he was going to step away from coaching due to health issues and resigned from the Eagles.
Return to Tennessee
Schwartz was hired by the
Tennessee Titans as a senior defensive assistant on April 7, 2021.
Cleveland Browns
On January 18, 2023, Schwartz was hired by the
Cleveland Browns as the defensive coordinator.
In his first season with the Browns, Schwartz's defense led the NFL in multiple categories, including total defense and passing defense. The Browns also allowed an average of 270.2 yards per game, the fewest in a season by a team since the 2014 Seattle Seahawks. Within Schwartz' system, defensive end
Myles Garrett would be named 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, and Schwartz was named the 2023 AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.
Garrett would also set the NFL sack record with 23, in Schwartz's system, during the 2025 season.
Following the 2025 season and the firing of Kevin Stefanski, Schwartz was one of top candidates to become the new head coach.
Head coaching record
Personal life
Schwartz and his wife, Kathy, have twins Christian and Alison, along with a younger daughter, Maria.
External links
