Jim Schwartz enters his eighth season with the Titans and sixth as defensive coordinator. Last year Tennessee fielded one of the youngest defenses in the league with starters averaging only 3.5 years of experience, including starting two rookie corners for only the second time in the franchise’s 46-year history. The defense still had plenty to boast about, ranking eighth in the NFL in third down defense (35.5%), ninth in sacks (41) and second in three and outs (31.3%).

In 2004, the team dealt with a slew of injuries on the defensive-side of the ball with eight regular contributors missing significant time during the season. Four of the Titans top five secondary players and three of the top four linebackers failed to make it through the season because of injury. The Titans still managed to rank seventh in the league in third-down defense, allowing only a 33.3% conversion rate on third down. They also ranked 11th in total defense after 12 weeks only to see the injuries mount and end the season ranked 27th.

In 2003, Schwartz directed a defense that ranked first in the NFL in rushing defense for only the second time in franchise history (1993). Tennessee’s ferocious play against the run extended a streak of nine consecutive seasons in the Top 10 for rushing defense, which led the NFL. Currently, the Titans defense has allowed only four 100-yard rushers in the last 45 home games.

That top ranking in rushing defense didn’t come easily in 2003, as the Titans faced eight (for a total of 10 games) of the NFL’s top 13 rushers who accounted for 12,018 yards. The highlight of the season was holding 2,000-yard rusher Jamal Lewis to 35 yards in the Wild Card game at Baltimore, his second lowest total as a starter.

In addition to leading the NFL in rushing defense in 2003, the Titans also led the league in third down defense at 27.7%. The conversion rate was the lowest in franchise history and the lowest by an NFL team since the 1998 Oakland Raiders (26.3%).

The 2003 edition of the Titans defense yielded a number of accolades and successes beyond the rushing defense, including: ranking fourth in the AFC in "red zone" defense (43.9%), fifth in the AFC in takeaways with 34 and recording the most interceptions (21) by a Titans defense since 1995.

In 2002, the Titans defense finished in the league’s top 10 in total defense, despite a number of obstacles, including the loss of All-Pro DE Jevon Kearse due to injury and the addition of six new starters on defense. The Titans defense came together after the fifth game of the season and finished with the third best defense in the league over the final 11 contests. Including all 16 games, Tennessee’s defense finished 5th in the league in scoring defense (282 points scored with the defense on the field).

Schwartz was elevated from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator in January of 2001. In addition to coaching the linebackers in 2000, he also coordinated the team’s third-down package, which led the NFL in third-down efficiency, with opponents converting only 30.8% (68/221) of their third-down chances. Schwartz also was instrumental in the integration of newly acquired LB Randall Godfrey into the Titans defensive scheme, as he set career highs in tackles (169) and interceptions (2). Schwartz originally joined the Titans coaching staff in 1999 as defensive assistant/quality control.

Prior to joining the Titans, Schwartz spent three years as an assistant/quality control coach with the Baltimore Ravens. While in Baltimore, Schwartz also coached the Ravens' outside linebackers. Prior to the Browns moving to Baltimore, he spent three years in the Cleveland Browns' personnel department, serving as both a college and pro scout. He also assisted the defensive coaching staff with film breakdowns and scouting reports. Schwartz began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Maryland, tutoring the Terrapins' linebackers from 1989-90 and then served as graduate assistant at the University of Minnesota (1990-91). He became a position coach in the secondary at North Carolina Central (1991-92) before moving to Colgate (1992) as linebackers coach.

A native of Baltimore, Md. (6/2/66), Schwartz was a four-year letterman at linebacker for the Hoyas of Georgetown University, where he earned his degree in Economics. He also received Distinguished Economics Graduate honors at Georgetown and earned numerous honors in 1988, including Division III CoSIDA/GTE Academic All-America, All-America, and team captain.

An avid chess player, Jim and his wife, Kathy, reside in Brentwood, Tenn., with twins Christian (5) and Alison (5) and Maria (3).