For the first time since he submitted his letter of resignation to the Cleveland Browns, former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has spoken out about the fallout from being passed over for the head coaching gig. The Browns, obviously, hired Todd Monken instead, and Schwartz subsequently resigned from his post as defensive coordinator.
Joining the Ryan Ripken Show, here is what Schwartz had to say about how his time in Cleveland came to a close:
“They wanted to go with an offensive guy. They chose Todd. I’m fine with that. They can make decisions that they want to make but they can’t expect me to stay on board for that… a forced marriage isn’t going to work in the NFL…”
Following Schwartz’s fallout with Browns
It was no secret that the Browns viewed Schwartz as a legitimate head coaching candidate once Kevin Stefanski was fired. He was a finalist for the job until the very end, and there was legitimate smoke that he could the choice of the organization. Owner Jimmy Haslam made it clear he wanted to keep Schwartz as part of the organization after Stefanski’s departure.
However, the team opted for Monken and tried to make it work between the two sides, hoping that Schwartz would hang around as the defensive coordinator. There were multiple reports that Schwartz was extremely unhappy to be passed over for the gig and would not return as the defensive coordinator under another coach. That rang true as Schwartz stuck to his word and re-signed as the defensive coordinator.
The Browns then signed Mike Rutenberg as defensive coordinator while Schwartz now apparently takes the year off.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns’ former defensive coordinator speaks after parting ways
Reporting by Cory Kinnan, Browns Wire / Browns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
