A person familiar with the decision says the Cleveland Browns have hired former Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz as their defensive coordinator. Schwartz spent the past two seasons as a defensive adviser for Tennessee.

Cleveland’s search for a coordinator began last week when coach Kevin Stefanski fired Joe Woods after three seasons. The 56-year-old Schwartz began his NFL career as a scout with Cleveland in the 1990s. He will take over the Browns' defense once he signs his contract, according to the person who spoke to The

Associated Press on condition of anonymity because that hasn’t happened yet. Schwartz previously worked as a coordinator with the Titans, Bills and Eagles. He won a Super Bowl running Philadelphia’s defense in 2017.

(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)