Schwartz returns to Browns, this time to fix busted defense

By TOM WITHERS The Associated Press

FILE - Philadelphia Eagles' Jim Schwartz walks the field before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Philadelphia, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Schwartz is interviewing Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, with Cleveland for their defensive coordinator vacancy created when coach Kevin Stefanski fired Joe Woods following a season of defensive collapses by the Browns. The 56-year-old Schwartz has been a senior advisor with the Tennessee Titans for the past two seasons. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Phelan M. Ebenhack]

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Jim Schwartz’s new job is to fix the Cleveland Browns’ busted defense. Schwartz, who has had three past stints in the NFL as defensive coordinator, was officially hired Wednesday by the Browns. Cleveland’s defense was mainly responsible for a disappointing 7-10 season. The 56-year-old Schwartz brings a track record of toughness to Cleveland. The former Detroit head coach previously was a defensive coordinator with Tennessee, Buffalo and Philadelphia, winning a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2017. He spent the past two seasons as a senior defensive assistant with the Titans. The Browns fired former coordinator Joe Woods after the season finale in Pittsburgh.