by 1660 THE FAN Staff
Allen Park, MI (Sports Network) - The Detroit Lions have found their new head coach as the team will hold a press conference on Friday to introduce Jim Schwartz as the replacement for the fired Rod Marinelli.
Schwartz, who has spent the past eight seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans, takes over a team that in 2008 became the first club to go 0-16 since the institution of the 16-game schedule.
"After an extensive search that included several highly-qualified coaches, we are thrilled that Jim Schwartz will become our team's head coach," said team president Tom Lewand. "Martin (Mayhew) and I believe that Jim's qualifications and vision will lead this organization on the field toward our goal of becoming a championship football team."
Schwartz, 42, was one of two finalists for the position with the other being Miami's secondary coach, Todd Bowles.
It has been reported that he agreed to a four-year contract.
Schwartz has spent the past 10 seasons with Tennessee and before that he was a defensive assistant on the Baltimore Ravens' staff for three years. He also was a college and pro scout for the Cleveland Browns.
Detroit has the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft, along with first and third-round picks from the Dallas Cowboys in the trade that sent wide receiver Roy Williams to the Lone Star State.
Schwartz's defensive expertise will be put to the test in Detroit as he will have to improve a defense that ranked last in the league and gave up 517 points, second to the 1981 Baltimore Colts record of 533.
The Lions are 31-97 since 2001, have lost 17 straight games and 23 of 24 overall.
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