4 defensive coordinators Jacksonville Jaguars must pursue in 2021

The Jacksonville Jaguars could use Schwartz’s success developing players.

Jim Schwartz is one of those people that don’t make good head coaches but thrive at the coordinator level. He first gained notoriety as the Tennessee Titans’ defensive coordinator in the mid-2000s. He was responsible for the success the defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth enjoyed early in his career before he became one of the biggest free-agent busts in NFL history.

However, Haynesworth hasn’t been the only player that thrived under Schwartz. In Tennessee, he also developed cornerback Cortland Finnegan, safety Michael Griffin, and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch. His work with the Titans helped him land the head coaching job for the Detriot Lions in 2009. He didn’t have much success though and finished his five-year tenure with a 29-51 record.

Schwartz quickly landed his feet and was hired as the Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator in 2014. There, his defense ranked fourth in both points and yards allowed. Moreover, defensive tackle Kyle Williams earned a Pro Bowl nod while defensive tackle Marcell Dareus and defensive end Mario Williams got All-Pro designations.

Despite his results, Schwartz was canned after just one season. In 2016, he became the Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator, and even though he hasn’t had much success in the last two years, their unit was among the best ones in the NFL before that. A chance of scenario could bode well for him and the Jaguars could provide it.