As Browns Search for New HC, Jim Schwartz has Plenty of Support Inside Facility

The Cleveland Browns are in the early stages of their search for a new head coach, one day after firing Kevin Stefanski, who spent six years manning the sidelines for the organization. 

That process begins by putting together a candidate list to fill the void. It's bound to include many of the notable names making waves around the league right now, from Klint Kubiak to Brian Flores. Their search may just bring them to a familiar face, though, too, in current defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. 

With players gathering to cleanout their lockers this week, several expressed a vote of confidence in Schwartz potentially taking over the job. 

"Me personally, I have so much love and respect for Coach Schwartz," Pro Bowl CB Denzel Ward said. "Me, I would highly recommend Coach Schwartz for a head coaching job. Here, definitely ... he's a great coach. He's helped my game tremendously, puts us in great positions, great leader. I can't say enough great things about him." 

Schwartz is plenty familiar with coaching in Cleveland. Funny enough, his first NFL gig was with the Browns as a personal scout between 1993-1995 under then head coach Bill Belichick. He made a long-awaited return to Northeast Ohio, in 2023, replacing Joe Woods as defensive coordinator under Stefanski. 

In his three years overseeing that side of the ball, he's helped transform the Browns offense into one of the best in football, including this past season where his unit ranked second in first downs allowed per game, third in passing yards allowed per game and third down conversion percentage, fourth in total yards allowed per game and yards per play, and was in the top 10 in a number of other statistical categories as well, including rushing yards allowed per game, total sacks. 

More importantly, players seem to love playing for him. 

"I don't make those decisions, but I would just say in simple terms, a good leader," safety Grant Delpit said of Schwartz. "A leader of men and somebody who's going to be fiery and help guys get to that mentality of playing ball because I think it's more than just Xs and Os in this league. I think you need somebody that's not afraid to lead from the front." 

Schwartz admiration didn't stop on his side of the ball, though. Even veteran guard Joel Bitonio, who has been through plenty of head coach searches in his day, sees the appeal of Schwartz as a head coach. 

"He's a good coach, man. I think everywhere he's been, the defense has improved and gotten better," the 12-year-veteran said. "You look at his track record when he got to the Eagles, when he got to Buffalo, all those things, like there was big jumps when he came here. Our defense has been probably overall the last three years, if not the best, one of the best units in the league. The defense plays with a swagger and a culture. And it's different."

Schwartz also has previous head coaching experience if that matters to Cleveland's key decision makers, GM Andrew Berry and owner Jimmy Haslam. From 2009-2013, Schwartz helped turn around a dilapidated Detroit Lions franchise, leading it to its first playoff appearance in over a decade following a 10-6 season in 2011. Two years later, after a 7-9 campaign, Schwartz was fired. He hasn't been hired as a head coach since, but his prowess as one of the game's best defensive minds remains. 

To have the support of the players is a good sign, but whether or not Schwartz gets the job or is even a candidate for it is still to be determined. At the very least, the Browns' brass has a lot of respect for the 59-year-old. So much so that they're at least going to discuss the possibility of him being promoted. 

“Jim's an outstanding football coach," said Berry. "We have a lot of respect for him, a lot of appreciation for him, and he has certainly earned the right for consideration, but that's something that we still have to discuss and obviously discuss with him" 

Haslam also praised Schwartz, but admitted they hadn't yet vetted him as a candidate. 

"We haven't looked at that yet," Haslam said. "I would say this, we think a lot of Jim Schwartz."

In a follow-up, Haslam was asked if the organization would like to see Schwartz at the very least remain with the organization. His response, a resounding, "Absolutely. Great coach."

That doesn't mean it will happen, though. Berry admitted that they won't force a new coach to retain anyone from the current staff. 

Losing him, however, could be a notable blow to one of the only good things this team has right now. 

"Yeah, that would be concerning," Delpit said. "I think we've had over the past three years accumulated No. 1 defense. So I think it goes without saying what kind of coach he is and the energy he brings. Look, I think Coach Schwartz is going to be a great, still got it type of head coach. He's a fiery guy and I'd vouch for him." 

At the very least Schwartz has endeared himself to plenty of players inside the building and the fan base that shows up to support the team on Sundays. The days and weeks ahead will reveal whether or not he's got a legitimate shot to stick in Cleveland as the team's next head coach.