Jim Schwartz
Jim Schwartz (Born July 2, 1966) is the current defensive coordinator for the NFL's Tennessee Titans.
Schwartz has served as the Titans DC for the past six seasons, and was runner-up to Mike Nolan for the San Francisco 49ers head coaching position in 2005. In January, 2008, he interviewed for head coaching positions with the Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons. In January of 2009, Schwartz interviewed twice for the head coaching job with the 0-16 Detroit Lions[1].
Schwartz's defenses have been notoriously successful on third down against the run. He does, however, continue to receive criticism from Tennessee Titans fans who blame him for the decline of their once dominating defense. Others argue that the decline of the Titans' defense is a result of the loss of numerous defensive stars from 2003-2005 due to salary cap considerations. Indeed, Schwartz's defense rebounded into the top half of the league during a 10-win 2007 season.
Schwartz got his start in the NFL doing research for Bill Belichick on the Cleveland Browns staff in the mid-1990s. Since then, he has continued to do work with Pro Football Prospectus and Football Outsiders founder Aaron Schatz, which has earned him a somewhat unique reputation among NFL coaches as a "Moneyball-style" statistical analyst.
He grew up in Halethorpe, Maryland and is a graduate of Mount Saint Joseph in Baltimore, Maryland.
Related Stories: Schwartz a proud Belichick disciple [1]