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Insider rips Jim Schwartz
The Cleveland Browns are searching for a new defensive coordinator.
Cleveland hired Todd Monken as their new head coach, which left Jim Schwartz furious. Schwartz was the team’s defensive coordinator, and this was likely his last shot at being an NFL head coach.
Schwartz ended up resigning as defensive coordinator, and Browns reporter Daryl Ruiter blasted the coach for his decision.
“It’s understandable, but all you did was validate their decision to not promote you and to hire Todd Monken, instead,” Ruiter said on 92.3 The Fan.
Co-host Nick Pedone, meanwhile, agreed with Ruiter and believes Schwartz embarrassed himself with his decision.
“You took your ball and went home. They retain your rights. And, that’s two more years on this deal, and you aren’t even allowed to trade for a coordinator. So, Jim, you effectively set your own career back by two seasons. Jim Schwartz, in my opinion, is an accomplished defensive coordinator. In my view, he kind of embarrassed himself on his way out of here.”
It’s an interesting take from both reporters, as Schwartz could very well be retiring from coaching now after not getting the defensive coordinator job.
Yet, Schwartz made his decision and will no longer be the Browns’ defensive coordinator.
Browns Can’t Trade Schwartz’s Rights
Although Schwartz opted to resign from the Browns’ defensive coordinator job, he still can’t take another job.
Schwartz is still under the Browns’ control, and the team won’t be letting him go, according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.
“They announced on Friday that Schwartz, 59, resigned with two years left on his lucrative contract,” Cabot wrote. “The Browns retain his rights, and at this point, have no plans to let him out of his contract. It means he’ll have to sit out these two years unless the two sides reach some kind of resolution.”
Meanwhile, the Browns also can’t trade Schwartz’s rights, according to Cabot.
“A coordinator can’t be traded per NFL rules, league spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed for cleveland.com,” Cabot said.
So, Schwartz will likely be remaining on the sideline for at least two more years, and whether or not he will be able to land a job afterwards is to be seen.
Cleveland Set to Interview Candidates
Following Schwartz’s resignation, the Browns have begun interviewing defensive coordinator candidates.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported on social media that the Browns have two candidates they are set to interview for the DC job.
“The Browns interviewed safeties coach Ephraim Banda and linebackers coach Jason Tarver for their defensive coordinator job, per sources,” Pelissero wrote on X. “Banda coordinated defenses at Miami and Utah State and was a finalist for multiple DC jobs this year. Tarver was the Raiders DC from 2012-14. …
“Todd Monken has already said he was keeping the system regardless of the status of Jim Schwartz, who resigned Thursday. Promoting from within would make sense, though there are external candidates as well.”
Who the external candidates are is uncertain at this time. But Monken has his search already underway to replace Schwartz as the Browns’ DC.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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