Dolphins next interview: Jim Schwartz

The Miami Herald is reporting that Titans' defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will be the next candidate to interview with the Dolphins for their vacant head coaching job.  It's reported that this interview will take place on Monday.

Interestingly enough, like the Herald points out, this interview could very well not even come to fruition, though I'd doubt it.  Why?  Because if the Cowboys lose to the Giants on Sunday, Tony Sparano would become available to accept the position as soon as Monday.  Now, there's stil la good chance, even if Sparano is the guy, that Schwartz would still interview in Miami to make it seem less likely that the Dolphins had already offered Sparano the job, like many seem to believe.

So here's a little bit about Schwartz.  He's another young guy, just 41 years of age, and has spent thel ast 9 seasons in Tennessee.  Seven of those seasons were spent as Tennessee's defensive coordinator.  During his tenure as Titans DC, his defenses have played very well (for the most part) and are well known for 2 key things.  One is their 3rd down defense.  The other is their rushing defense.  This past season, the Titans ranked 5th against the rush and in their past 6 seasons, have ranked 8th in the NFL against the rush.  Their 3rd down defense did take a hit in 2007, ranking just 24th.  However, over the course of his tenure as the Titans' DC, they rank 5th in the NFL in 3rd down defense, holding opponents to a 35% conversion rate.

Schwartz is held in high regard in most league circles.  In fact, he was reportedly the runner up for the 49ers head coaching job back in 2005 to Mike Nolan.  The Falcons are also believed to be interested in Schwartz and have ask for permission to interview him for their head coaching vacany.

He's an interesting candidate but doesn't have any connections to Bill Parcells.

Hat tip again to "finsguy23" for bringing this article to our attention.  He's like our unofficial news hound!