Schwartz returns to Titans in assistant role after leaving Eagles

Jim Schwartz is returning to the Tennessee Titans to serve as a senior defensive assistant following a five-year run as the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive coordinator.

The veteran coach left the Eagles of his own volition in January. He reportedly contemplated retirement but never formally announced he was finished with coaching.

"We are excited to add Jim to our staff," Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said in a statement. "He has a deep level of football knowledge and has overseen a great deal of success on the defensive side of the ball, so it always good to add a quality coach to our staff.

"This role will provide our defensive staff with Jim's experience and perspective in the staff meetings and on the practice field."

Schwartz worked for the Titans from 1999-2008 under then-head coach Jeff Fisher. He served as defensive coordinator for eight of those seasons before landing a head coaching gig with the Detroit Lions.

The Eagles ranked 19th in yards allowed and 20th in points allowed in 2020, while the Titans were 28th and 24th, respectively. Philadelphia ranked fourth in both categories during its Super Bowl-winning season in 2017.

Tennessee previously named outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen its defensive coordinator for 2021, though he already began calling plays last year.