Lions hire Jim Schwartz
January 16
Detroit Free Press
"The Lions have hired a new coach: Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
The Lions will hold a news conference Friday at Ford Field to introduce him.
“After an extensive search that included several highly qualified coaches, we are thrilled that Jim Schwartz will become our team’s head coach,” president Tom Lewand said in a released statement. “Martin (Mayhew) and I believe that Jim’s qualifications and vision will lead this organization on the field toward our goal of becoming a championship football team."
Schwartz, 42, was one of two finalists the Lions unveiled to the media this week. The other was Miami secondary coach Todd Bowles.
Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew have said they wanted a strong, smart coach who fits their philosophy and respects the personnel process.
Schwartz has an economics degree from Georgetown. He is an avid chess player who uses a lot of statistical analysis in his preparation. He said he believes in building teams to run the ball and stop the run.
And he got his start as a college and pro scout in Cleveland, working with executive Scott Pioli and coach Bill Belichick, who went on to win three Super Bowls and participate in another with New England.
After three years with the Browns, Schwartz spent three years as a defensive assistant with Baltimore. Then he moved up the ladder in Tennessee -- defensive assistant in 1999, linebackers coach in 2000, defensive coordinator the past eight seasons."
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