Former Lions head coach Jim Schwartz set to interview for defensive coordinator job

Another former Lions head coach has surfaced in the mix for a new job, with Jim Schwartz expected to interview for a defensive coordinator opening.

After Jim Caldwell surfaced as a candidate for a couple head coaching openings in this hiring cycle, another former Lions head coach has surfaced on the job market. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Indianapolis Colts are expected to interview Jim Schwartz for their vacant defensive coordinator job.

Schwartz spent the 2021 season as a senior defensive assistant back with the Tennessee Titans, where he was on Jeff Fisher’s coaching staff from 1999-2008 and the defensive coordinator from 2001-2008.

Schwartz was then hired as the Lions head coach in 2009. He had a 29-51 record and one playoff appearance over five seasons in Detroit, and he has not been a head coach since.

Jim Schwartz has some history with Colts head coach Frank Reich

Prior to going back to the Titans, Schwartz was the Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator for five seasons (2016-2020). He overlapped for two seasons (2016 and 2017) with Colts head coach Frank Reich, was the offensive coordinator for the Eagles. Philadelphia had a top-13 yardage defense in three of Schwartz’s five seasons there, with a top-five unit in yards and points allowed during the Eagles’ 2017 season that finished with a Super Bowl win.

In 14 total seasons as a defensive coordinator, with the Titans, the Buffalo Bills (2014) and the Eagles, Schwartz has helmed a top-10 unit in yards allowed six times and a top-12 scoring defense seven times. In terms of takeaways, Schwartz’s defenses have been top-10 in the league six times as well.

The Colts’ defensive coordinator vacancy was created when Matt Eberflus took the Chicago Bears’ head coaching job this past week. Schwartz is in the mix to fill the post now, with Rapoport suggesting he is a “strong candidate.” If Schwartz doesn’t get the job, his name is at least back out there now.