Schwartz, who helped the Browns become the league’s top defense in his first year with the team, is the first coach in franchise history to win the award.
LAS VEGAS — The Browns are certainly well-represented at Thursday’s NFL Honors, with four members of the team nominated for various prestigious awards.
Before the ceremony even began, the team secured its first trophy of the night, with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz being named Assistant Coach of the Year by the Associated Press. The announcement was made on NFL Network.
Schwartz began his coaching career in Cleveland more than 30 years ago under Bill Belichick, and in time since has earned a reputation as a master of defensive scheming, even winning a Super Bowl as the Philadelphia Eagles’ DC in 2017. He arrived back in Northeast Ohio following a brief time away from coordinator duties due to health concerns, and was quickly tasked with rebuilding a Browns defense that was widely seen as underachieving for years.
Not only did the unit survive under Schwartz in 2023 — it thrived, topping the NFL by allowing just 270 yards per game (a 60-yard improvement from 2022). Its 165 passing yards per contest also led the league, and three members of the defense were named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Myles Garrett also earned first-team All-Pro honors for the third time, and on Thursday became the first Cleveland player every to be named AP Defensive Player of the Year.
Despite a slew of injuries, the Browns finished the season 11-6 and made the playoffs for just the third time since returning to the NFL in 1999. Unfortunately, they lost the Houston Texans 45-14 in the wild-card round.
Schwartz is the first Browns coach to be named Assistant of the Year since the award’s inception in 2014. He beat out Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson, Baltimore Ravens DC Mike Macdonald and OC Todd Monken, and Texans OC Bobby Slowik for the accolade.
Besides Schwartz and Garrett, Kevin Stefanski is up for what would be his second Coach of the Year Award while quarterback Joe Flacco is nominated for Comeback Player of the Year. Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. is also one of 32 nominees for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.