Browns’ Jim Schwartz Wants Another Chance As NFL Head Coach

Cleveland's defensive coordinator took the Lions to the playoffs in 2011.

In his first year as defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns, Jim Schwartz has been nothing short of a miracle worker.

Under his stewardship, the Browns are leading the league in total defense for the first time since 1955. Cleveland has improved from 7–10 to 11–5 despite burning through four starting quarterbacks—a number that will increase to give when Jeff Driskel starts Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Schwartz's spectacular season has generated whispers that the former Detroit Lions boss may one day desire a return to the head coaching ranks, which he confirmed to reporters Thursday morning.

“I love this organization. I love the city of Cleveland,” Schwartz said, effusively praising the atmosphere during the Browns’ playoff berth-clinching win over the New York Jets on Dec. 28. “In any job that you do, you always aspire to the top of that profession and I’m no different there.” 

#Browns DC Jim Schwartz acknowledges that he’d love to be a head coach again even tho he loves it here: pic.twitter.com/DTFoj5yRxw

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 4, 2024

Schwartz went 29–51 in five season with the Lions, guiding Detroit to the postseason in 2011.

The Browns, who put defensive end Myles Garrett and cornerback Denzel Ward on the AFC’s Pro Bowl defense, are locked into their conference’s five-seed ahead of the final week of the season.