Longtime NFL coach Jim Schwartz is taking a break from the game.
The Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator issued a statement on Thursday announcing that he is moving away from “day-to-day training for now”.
Schwartz’s announcement came five days after Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported that the 54-year-old coach planned to allow his contract to end at the end of the 2020 season and take a year off.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Jeffrey Lurie, coach Pederson and Howie Roseman, as well as to the entire football team and the many coaches and players I have had the honor of working with. It has been an incredible five years and I have enjoyed every moment of it,” he said. Schwartz, through the team’s official website. “I am especially grateful to guys like Fletcher (Cox), BG (Brandon Graham), Rodney (McLeod) and Jalen (Mills), who have had the privilege of coaching all five seasons, as well as Nate (Gerry), DB ( Derek Barnett), Vinny (Curry) and many others with whom I celebrated a Super Bowl championship.
“I enjoyed working for this organization and training in the city of Philadelphia. I have dedicated my heart and soul to football, not only for the past five years here, but during my 32 years as a coach. Although my passion for the game remains strong, it is better for me to get away from the day-to-day coaching for now. I have a lot of respect for the game and for everyone involved to compromise the level of commitment that I consider necessary to get the job done.
“I don’t know what my future holds, but I am willing to do everything I can to help this organization in any way. Thanks again to the city of Philadelphia and the Eagles for the incredible five years. My family and I will never forget ours time here. “
The 2020 campaign ended in disappointment for Schwartz and the Eagles after the team finished 4-11-1 and missed the postseason.
A member of the Philadelphia technical team since 2016, Schwartz has turned one of the NFL’s worst defenses into a formidable unit to consider. In the season following his arrival, Philadelphia posted a record of 13-3, his best since 2004, and ended the year with a victory over the Patriots in the Super Bowl LII.
Prior to that, Schwartz served as Buffalo Bills DC in 2014 and the head coach of the 2009-13 Detroit Lions. He took Lions to a playoff spot in 2011 after a 10-6 season, and has compiled a 29-51 record in five seasons.
Twenty-eight of Schwartz’s 32 years as a coach have been spent in the NFL, and include stints in various positions with the Browns, Ravens and Titans.