Jim Schwartz is stepping away from football, at least temporarily. Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports that the Eagles defensive coordinator will let his contract expire at the end of the season and will “take a year off from coaching.”
According to Pelissero, the Eagles had approached the 54-year-old about an extension. However, after undergoing hip and eye surgeries, Schwartz believed this was a good time to take a break. While the report notes that Schwartz “will contemplate retirement,” it also sounds like he’s keeping his options open for future opportunities.
Schwartz got his first NFL opportunity in 1993 when he served as a scout on Bill Belichick‘s staff in Cleveland. Following a stint with the Ravens, Schwartz ended up catching on in Tennessee. After starting as a defensive assistant, he made his way up to linebackers coach and eventually defensive coordinator, a role he held for eight seasons.
Schwartz got a crack at head coaching in 2009 when he was hired by the Lions. He finished with an ugly 29-51 record during his five seasons in Detroit, although he did make the postseason with third-year quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2011. He was fired by the Lions following the 2013 campaign, and he was subsequently signed as the defensive coordinator in Buffalo. The Bills had a top-five defense during that 2014 season, but he wasn’t retained when Rex Ryan took over as head coach following the campaign.
Schwartz was hired as Philly’s defensive coordinator in 2016. The veteran coach played a major role in turning around a porous defense, and he earned a Super Bowl ring after guiding the defense in 2017.
sigh
This team is giving up…..
Hasn’t he sat out the past few seasons? Is ol’ dig Doug next to take a security halt?
At least we know there will be some changes. Let’s hope there will me more coaches leaving the Eagles. And players. And front office people.
One super bowl win in 55 years by the current staff and last NFL championship since 1960 and you are ready to throw them out after 2 years of winning a ring. Philly fans get what they deserve which is hardly nothing.
4-10-1 , have you watched them this year ? They have taken steps backwards three years in a row…
this town has no patience, that’s for sure
Looks like they found an easy scapegoat when there are a ton of issues with that organization.
Spot on take
He knew he was going to get fired. Good riddance.