After early speculation that new Buffalo Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan would keep defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz on staff, reports surfaced Tuesday morning that the philosophical differences between the two coaches was too great and Schwartz would not return.
Former Jets defensive coordinator and Ryan staffer Dennis Thurman is expected to take over the job.
The difference between Schwartz’ 4-3 scheme and Ryan’s preferred hybrid 3-4 defense made the two an odd match to begin with the hiring of Ryan in Buffalo kind of a mystery. The Bills finished 9-7 last season with the fourth-ranked defense in the NFL. The Bills were first in sacks and third in forced turnovers, all with personnel perfect for a 4-3 system. Now, with Ryan and Thurman in control, that defensive roster may need some changes as well to fit the 3-4 system.
While his tenure as the Detroit Lions head coach ended badly, Schwartz righted his own career in Buffalo and should have no trouble walking into another defensive coordinator position with a team preferring a 4-3 defense. There has been some speculation that Schwartz could take over Seattle’s Legion of Boom defense next season, as current Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is expected to move on to an NFL head coaching job, possibly in New York. The Jets said they were ready to hire Quinn as early as this past weekend, had the Seahawks lost to Carolina in the divisional round.
