Lions Fire Coach Schwartz

The Detroit Lions have fired Coach Jim Schwartz. After two disastrous seasons with pretty good talent, the team said goodbye to Schwartz, who still had two years left and nearly $12 million left on his contract.  

The Lions lost their last eight games last year after a .500 start.   This year, after a 6-3 start, the Lions lost six of their last seven.  Schwartz was 29-51 over five seasons.  The former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator inherited an 0-16 team and made the playoffs once, getting an early exit by the Saints three seasons ago.

Schwartz raised the ire of fans last season when he angrily tossed a challenge flag when he shouldn't which let to a loss.  The previous year, Schwartz had a heated exchange with San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh and had to be separated following their postgame handshake.   This season, he appeared to turn around and curse the booing fans at Ford Field when he decided to run out the clock and try his luck in overtime.  The Lions lost that one too.