[ad_1]
Longtime NFL coach Jim Schwartz is taking a break from the game.
The Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator issued a statement Thursday announcing he was stepping away from “the daily practice of training for now.”
Schwartz’s announcement comes five days after NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero announced that the 54-year-old coach plans to allow his contract to expire at the end of the 2020 season and take a year off.
“I want to express my gratitude to Jeffrey Lurie, Coach Pederson and Howie Roseman, as well as to the entire football staff and the many coaches and players I have had the honor to work with. It was an incredible five-year race and I savored every moment of it, ”Schwartz said, via the team’s official website.“ I feel especially indebted to guys like Fletcher (Cox), BG (Brandon Graham) ), Rodney (McLeod) and Jalen (Mills), whom I had the privilege to coach for all five seasons, as well as Nate (Gerry), DB (Derek Barnett), Vinny (Curry) and many more with who I celebrated a Super Bowl Championship.
“I have enjoyed working for this organization and coaching in the city of Philadelphia. I have given my heart and soul to football, not just for the past five years here, but throughout my 32 years as a footballer. coach. Although my passion for the game remains strong, it is best for me to take a step back from the daily coaching for now. I have too much respect for the game and for everyone involved to compromise the level commitment that I believe is necessary to get the job done.
“I don’t know what my future holds for me, but I’m ready to do whatever I can to help this organization in any way. Thanks again to the City of Philadelphia and the Eagles for these incredible five years. My family and I will never forget our stay here. “
The 2020 campaign ended in a disappointment for Schwartz and the Eagles after the team finished 4-11-1 and missed the playoffs.
A member of the Philly coaching staff since 2016, Schwartz has turned one of the NFL’s worst defenses into a formidable unit to be reckoned with. The season following his arrival, Philadelphia continued to post a 13-3 record, his best since 2004, and ended the year with a victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
Previously, Schwartz was the Buffalo Bills DC in 2014 and head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2009 to 2013. He led the Lions to a playoff berth in 2011 after a 10-6 season and compiled a record 29-51 in five seasons.
Twenty-eight of Schwartz’s 32 years in the coaching ranks have been in the NFL and include periods of service in various roles with the Browns, Ravens and Titans.
[ad_2]
Source link