Bills hire Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator

Published Jan. 24, 2014 10:16 p.m. ET

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Despite reportedly being owed around $12 million over the next two years by the Detroit Lions, Jim Schwartz is going back to work.

The Buffalo Bills announced Friday night that Schwartz, who was fired by the Lions the day after the regular season, will be their new defensive coordinator.

He replaces Mike Pettine, who left to take the head-coaching job with the Cleveland Browns.

The Bills did a little quick photo-shop work to send out this photo of Schwartz:  

"We are excited to add a talented and accomplished coordinator in Jim Schwartz to our staff,"  Bills coach Doug Marrone said in a statement. "Schwartz has led aggressive and productive defensive units throughout his time in the NFL and we feel our defense will continue to improve."

Schwartz, 47, was a defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans before getting hired by the Lions. He had a 29-52 record, including one playoff loss, in five years as Detroit's coach.

He lost his job after the Lions dropped six of their final seven games to finish with a 7-9 record, two years after Schwartz had taken them to the postseason.

The Bills also hired former Lions quarterback coach Todd Downing, 33, as their QB coach.

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