BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have hired Jim Schwartz to be their defensive coordinator.
The Browns announced the hiring Wednesday.
"Jim Schwartz has been an outstanding coach in this league for a very long time, and we are thrilled that he is joining our staff to lead our defense as the defensive coordinator," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said in a statement released by the team. "Jim has seen defensive success at each of his coaching stops because he knows how to get the best out of his players and will match scheme to suit strengths.
"Jim is a passionate leader who believes in teaching fundamentals. We're excited about the vast experience he brings to our staff to meet the demands it takes to consistently defend the varying offenses in the AFC North and across the National Football League."
Schwartz replaces Joe Woods, who was fired last week after the Browns ranked 19th in defensive efficiency, finished with a record of 7-10 and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Schwartz was the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2009 to 2013, going just 29-51 over that stretch but leading the Lions to the playoffs in 2011. He won a Super Bowl as defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018.
Schwartz, 56, spent the past two years as a defensive assistant with the Tennessee Titans.
Schwartz also had defensive coordinator stints with the Titans (2001-08) and Buffalo Bills (2014). He was a personnel scout for the Browns from 1993-95 under then-Cleveland head coach Bill Belichick.
The Browns also interviewed Pittsburgh Steelers defensive assistant and former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores for their defensive coordinator job, as well as Seattle Seahawks assistant Sean Desai and Philadelphia assistant Dennard Wilson.