The Cleveland Browns have requested to interview former Detroit Lions head coach and current Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
This seemed to come out of nowhere. Last night it was reported that the Cleveland Browns have requested to interview Jim Schwartz.
It certainly seemed like the Browns have narrowed down their candidates to a select few. Josh McDaniels, Kevin Stefanski and Robert Saleh to be exact. (Cleveland is still yet to interview Stefanski). The fact that Cleveland is expanding their coaching search seems strange at this juncture. It could be related to the fact that Josh McDaniels is making his first stop in Carolina. First and last stops are usually the most likely landing spots for head coaching candidates. The Panthers owner with “deep pockets” could make McDaniels an offer he can’t refuse.
This could also be just someone talking to Jimmy Haslam and suggesting Jim Schwartz as a candidate. Haslam is notorious for asking everyone and anyone for advice. Advice on how to be a better owner, organization and team overall. That often leads to the last person talking to him having the most influence on any decision he makes. Literally someone could have said “How about Jim Schwartz?” and that could have led to this interview request.
Jim Schwartz is a good defensive coordinator but had mixed results as a head coach in Detroit. Schwartz finished his tenure in Detroit with a 29-51 record in five seasons. His lone winning seasons resulted in a playoff appearance and first round exit. While his 29 wins dwarfs what many Browns coaches have had, some of this is influenced by peak Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh. All of which who were better then than the group of Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr., and Myles Garrett. Maybe Jim Schwartz performs a similar feat with the aforementioned Browns trio, but the reality is he is much better coordinator than head coach. If he is indeed hired, it would be another disappointing end to another Browns coaching search.
UPDATE
Cleveland is the lone team left to hire a head coach. Jim Schwartz is interviewing Wednesday, Kevin Stefanski Thursday, and Josh McDaniels Friday. The Browns will have all options available to them as they finish their search for a head coach.
