The first official interview for Joe Gibbs’ replacement didn’t include the usual splashy name. That doesn’t mean it didn’t cause a stir.
Redskins owner Dan Snyder Thursday interviewed Jim Schwartz — who replaced Gregg Williams as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator in 2001.
Washington is in the initial stages of its coach search and, sources said, will likely interview Indianapolis assistant head coach/quarterbacks Jim Caldwell at some point. However, if the Colts win Sunday, Caldwell would not be available for an interview until Jan. 21.
Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher, believed to be the initial target, has maintained that he does not want to coach this season, according to several league sources. Cowher also has been quoted stating his intention.
There’s also Williams, the favorite among the players and the staff. The fact that he’s not the first interview is not problematic for his chances; he’d likely want to go near the end anyway.
Still, the fact that Schwartz, 41, was the first choice for an interview raised eyebrows. His defense was ranked fifth overall this year, but only had one other top-10 defense in his previous six seasons (10th in 2002). His injury-depleted defense was 32nd last year and two other times they ranked 25th and 27th.
“That’s a slap at Gregg Williams,” one NFL source said. “This thing could go anywhere.”
“All the guys feel the same,” Redskins end Phillip Daniels said. “If he doesn’t get the job, there’s a lot of rebuilding going on.”
Schwartz is considered a candidate for the Atlanta opening as well. The Baltimore native, and University of Maryland graduate, does not appear to be high on the Ravens’ list; he worked for the team from 1996-98.
Though he worked under Williams, he does not necessarily have the same philosophy nor is he as aggressive with his schemes.
Schwartz is fond of Williams. He served as defensive assistant for two seasons with Tennessee when Williams was the defensive coordinator.
“Gregg Williams gave me a big boost in my career because he put me in front of our defense,” Schwartz once told titansonline.com. “Up until that point I was kept in the closet a lot, doing a lot of work that was never really recognized. Gregg was the first guy who really publicly recognized it and therefore the players recognized what I contributed.”
Schwartz got his start as a graduate assistant at Maryland and received his first NFL job as a scout with Cleveland from 1993-95, working under Bill Belichick.
