CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns continued looking for their next on-field leader when the search committee met with Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz regarding their head coaching vacancy Wednesday morning.
Schwartz is the sixth person to interview for the Browns’ opening, following Super Bowl winner Mike McCarthy, prominent offensive coordinators in Greg Roman (Baltimore Ravens), Eric Bieniemy (Kansas City Chiefs) and Brian Daboll (Buffalo Bills), and standout defensive coordinator Robert Saleh (San Francisco 49ers).
When owner Jimmy Haslam outlined what the Browns would look for in their next head coach, he said the organization wanted someone with coaching experience in the National Football League, and Schwartz has that, as an assistant, coordinator and head coach over his 26 years in the coaching profession.
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After coaching in college from 1989-1992, Schwartz entered the professional ranks as a college/pro scout with the Browns before moving with the club to Baltimore and serving as a defensive assistant for three seasons (1996-1998).
Then, Schwartz moved onto the Tennessee Titans, where he was a defensive assistant in 1999 before becoming their linebackers and third-down package coach in 2000 before being elevated to the role of coordinator (2001-2008).
Schwartz was hired to be the Detroit Lions’ head coach after they finished off the first-ever 0-16 season in NFL history, and thanks to a 10-6 record in 2011, he guided the franchise to the postseason for the first time since 1999.
In 2014, Schwartz was the Bills’ defensive coordinator before taking a similar role with the Eagles in 2016.
The Browns interviewed Schwartz before a scheduled meeting with Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski Thursday. Stefanski was a finalist for the job last offseason, but lost out to Freddie Kitchens, who was dismissed after a 6-10 finish in 2019.
The Browns will round out the week by talking with Josh McDaniels, the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, before making their decision, which according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter is expected sooner rather than later, as he reported the committee “wants a deal in place by Saturday.”