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Detroit Hires Schwartz

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The Associated Press

Published: January 16, 2009

DETROIT - Jim Schwartz insisted he loves challenges.

Well, he's got one.

The Detroit Lions, the NFL's first 0-16 team, agreed Thursday on a four-year deal with Schwartz to make him their next coach.

The former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator will be introduced at a news conference today at Ford Field, where Detroit lost its home games last year by an average of 21.4 points to break another dubious league record.

The 42-year-old Schwartz just finished his eighth season as the Titans' defensive coordinator and his 10th on their staff. He interviewed for a second time with the Lions on Monday.

"After an extensive search that included several highly qualified coaches, we are thrilled that Jim Schwartz will become our team's head coach," team president Tom Lewand said in a statement. "General Manager Martin Mayhew and I believe that Jim's qualifications and vision will lead this organization on the field toward our goal of becoming a championship football team."

The chance to lead an infamous team only seemed to motivate Schwartz to get the job.

"I don't shy away from a challenge," he said during a news conference earlier this week.

Detroit interviewed Schwartz after the regular season and had to wait for Tennessee to be eliminated from the playoffs to speak with him again. The Titans lost to Baltimore on Saturday.

Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher congratulated the Lions for hiring the "right guy" and said in a statement Schwartz will be missed in Tennessee.

The Lions also showed some interest in Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera.

DOLPHINS: New York Giants assistant offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo was hired as offensive line coach, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press. He replaces Mike Maser, who was fired a day earlier.

49ERS: Scott Linehan is in his second interview with Coach Mike Singletary and GM Scot McCloughan, hoping to become the 49ers' offensive coordinator.

JETS: The team had a second meeting with Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo this week about their coaching vacancy, a person familiar with the search told the AP.

MAN OF THE YEAR: Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner and Vikings center Matt Birk are finalists for the NFL's Man of the Year award, named for the late Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, which goes annually to the player who combines on-field excellence with off-the-field community service.

RAMS: Interim coach Jim Haslett has been eliminated from consideration for the coaching job, leaving finalists Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

SAINTS: New Orleans hired Jaguars defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for the same position.

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