The latest member on the list of head coaching candidates will be familiar to Buffalo Bills fans. Per Tim Graham of The Buffalo News, Jim Schwartz is being considered for the vacant head coach position.
Source: Bills consider defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz a candidate for the head vacancy.
— Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) January 2, 2015
Schwartz was the defensive coordinator for this year's team, which had a tremendous season on his side of the ball. The Bills ranked third in the NFL in yards per play, third in turnovers generated, led the league in sacks, and led the league in net yards per attempt and adjusted net yards per attempt, according to Pro Football Reference.
Prior to joining the Bills, Schwartz spent five seasons as the head coach of the Detroit Lions, taking over a team that had just finished a winless season in 2008. His Lions ended up making the playoffs at 10-6 in 2011, but were just 13-21 in the next two seasons. He was fired in 2013 after accumulating a 29-51 record and concerns about undisciplined players during his tenure. Before that job, he was the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans from 2002-2008.
Schwartz is one of a number of coaches that have been linked to the Bills' head coach opening. He's joined on the reported list of candidates by former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, former Buffalo Bills quarterback and current San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich, and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase.