Jim Schwartz was considered the architect of some of the best defenses in Tennessee Titans history. I can distinctly remember that 2008 season and how good that defense was. That was also the year when we all finally knew we were going to lose Schwartz to a head coaching gig. He was that damn good.
And, sure enough, after that season, Schwartz went on to coach the Detroit Lions. He took a team that was 0-16 in 2008 and got them into the postseason in just three seasons. But, in the final month of the 2013 season, the Lions went from first place in the NFC North to a 7-9 record and missed out on the playoffs. It proved to be the final straw, and he was fired.
He was a fiery guy. Many of you will remember him and Jim Harbaugh getting into an altercation on the field after a game. Unfortunately, his team reflected that emotional hot-headedness, and it had something to do with his undoing. At least, that’s what many in the national media attributed the collapse to.
In 2014, Schwartz served as defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. That Bills defense led the NFL in sacks, and ranked among the league’s elite in almost every major statistical category. Unfortunately, Rex Ryan didn’t want to keep him on staff when he got the job in the wake of Doug Marrone’s resignation.
So, Schwartz sat out of coaching for a year in 2015 – had some sort of gig consulting officials. But, returned to coaching as defensive coordinator for the Eagles in 2016. It was an improved unit, but it didn’t become elite until 2017. During the regular season, the Eagles were fourth in total yards, fourth in points allowed, and were the absolute best run defense in the league.
And, here we are.
His name is popping up for a lot of coaching vacancies, and he still has the pedigree to be a head coach in the NFL. Schwartz was a pretty beloved guy in Nashville when he served as the defensive coordinator for the Titans from 2001-2008. So, it makes sense that Titans fans are calling into sports talk this week with the guy’s name.
Should Jon Robinson look at Schwartz? Absolutely. I don’t think you call this a thorough coaching search without doing so. But, am I necessarily rooting for Schwartz? I don’t think so.
Look, I know I can be a bit of a contrarian for the sake of being a contrarian at times, but I kind of want some new ideas in town, and I don’t think Schwartz brings that. Would it be a popular hire? Certainly. Do I think Schwartz will make a great head coach again? Sure! Why wouldn’t you think that?
But, my issue with Schwartz is that we know what we’re going to get and we’ve seen that ceiling. Does anyone realistically think he’s the type of guy that’s going to win a Super Bowl? I don’t know. And, I understand that those guys are few and far between. But, the Titans are in a position where they just fired a guy who realized his ceiling.
Find someone on the ascent. Find someone who is different. And, I know the rule is, “if you hire a good coach, you hire a good coach,” but I still say this organization should be looking for an offensive-minded guy who can develop Marcus Mariota.
Part of me wants someone who’s never had any sort of connection to the Titans, too. I know it’s been ten years since he’s coached in Nashville, but I hear his name and still think Fisher-ball (that’s akin to “Field Goal Fisher” for those of you unfamiliar with the term, and represents a style of football in which offense is basically ignored).
Again, maybe I’m being a contrarian just for the sake of being contrarian. But, I view Schwartz as a retread. I want some new ideas, folks. NEW. NEW. NEW.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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