Promoting defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz would be the least disruptive conclusion to the Browns’ coaching search.
Whether that’s a good thing is up for debate.
Schwartz had his second interview with owner Jimmy Haslam, general manager Andrew Berry and Co. on Monday in Berea. Schwartz began the search as a favorite to land the job, and that status hasn’t changed despite eight other candidates receiving interviews.
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He was the first of at least six scheduled for a second meeting. Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, fired Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase are set to follow.
The desire of Haslam, Berry and many of the players to keep Schwartz, as coordinator or coach, makes perfect sense.
The defense was easily the best part of the team last season. It was fourth overall in the NFL and third against the pass. Myles Garrett set the NFL season sack record with 23, Denzel Ward made his fifth Pro Bowl and Carson Schwesinger is the favorite to be NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Since Schwartz arrived in 2023, the defense leads the NFL in yards, passing, first downs, third-down conversions, fourth-down conversions and tackles for loss. He plays a man-heavy, attacking 4-3 scheme that is unusual across the league. Berry has spent three years acquiring the personnel to fit the system, so a switch at coordinator could be messy.
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If the Browns wind up hiring an offensive-minded coach, the hope would be Schwartz stays to coach the defense.
That feels far from guaranteed. Schwartz, 59, has a sizable ego. He interviewed for the Ravens’ head coaching job and would likely have coordinator options. If the Browns hire someone else as coach, he may feel slighted and want out.
Fear of losing Schwartz is not a good enough reason to make him the coach. This is a franchise-defining decision that must be viewed with regard to the long term. Coordinators and systems come and go, the right coach transforms an organization.
This doesn’t mean Schwartz shouldn’t be the hire.
He’s been a head coach, having mixed results in five years with the Lions. He has the support of the locker room. His defense speaks for itself. He could bring greater swagger and accountability to the entire team.
“Love Jim and I love playing for him,” Garrett said before the finale. “I know it’d be regimented and probably very efficient. That’s how he runs it on defense, so I think those two things will hold true.”
After Haslam fired coach Kevin Stefanski for going 8-26 over the last two seasons while keeping Berry — and having him lead the coaching search — at first, the idea of promoting Schwartz didn’t feel like enough disruption as the Browns seek a drastic turnaround. Changing coaches is usually the time for an extreme makeover.
But if Schwartz were able to hire a hot, young coordinator as the first step in an offseason overhaul of the offense, that could be the best of both worlds. Stability on defense and promise on offense.
Scheelhaase fits the description. So does Bengals coordinator Dan Pitcher, who didn’t get a second interview with the Browns for the head job.
He was given permission by the Bengals to interview for the coordinator job with the Buccaneers because he would calls plays, which he doesn’t do under coach Zac Taylor. If the Bengals were also willing to let Pitcher leave for the Browns in a “lateral” move, pairing him with Schwartz is intriguing.
Hiring Monken as coordinator would be interesting, just not as desirable. Monken is 59, so the Browns wouldn’t be tapping into the up-and-comer market. But he’s a good play caller, directed the NFL’s No. 1 offense with the Ravens in 2024 and won back-to-back national titles at Georgia.
Those opposed to Schwartz as head coach usually point to his 29-51 record with the Lions from 2009-13. He inherited an 0-16 team and had it in the playoffs in his third season after going 10-6. The Lions slipped to 4-12 the next year, and 7-9 in 2013 wasn’t enough to save him.
That was more than a decade ago, and Schwartz certainly learned valuable lessons.
The Browns should make a hard run at Sean McDermott, who was fired by the Bills on Monday after leading them to the playoffs for seven straight seasons. His resume is too strong to ignore.
If McDermott declines, and the Browns aren’t ready to gamble on a young offensive mind, Schwartz is the best fit.
There are plenty of reasons to believe he’ll be better in his second chance in charge. The key is getting the right offensive coordinator.
