2011 Detroit Lions MeDia GUiDe - Detroit Lions Mediaroom

economics. He received Distinguished Economics Graduate honors
at Georgetown, and in 1989 he earned numerous honors that include
Division III CoSIDA/GTE Academic All-America, All-America and
team captain.
In the community, Schwartz supports the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation International and stresses the importance of
giving back through entities like Detroit Lions Charities. For the
past two years, Schwartz served as chairman of the Detroit Lions
Invitational Golf Tournament and was the co-chairman for the Lions
Celebrity Bocce Ball Tournament in 2010.
Schwartz and his wife, Kathy, have twins Christian and Allison
along with a younger daughter Maria..
SCHWARTZ’S COACHING BACKGROUND
Detroit Lions .......................................................................... 2009-
Head Coach ...................................................................................................2009-
Tennessee Titans .............................................................1999-2008
Defensive Coordinator ........................................................................... 2001-08
Linebackers Coach/Third Down Package .................................................2000
Defensive Assistant ......................................................................................1999
Baltimore Ravens ................................................................1996-98
Defensive Assistant ............................................................................... 1996-98
Cleveland Browns ............................................................... 1993-95
College/Pro Scout .................................................................................. 1993-95
Colgate University ....................................................................1992
Linebackers ....................................................................................................1992
North Carolina Central ..............................................................1991
Secondary .......................................................................................................1991
Minnesota ................................................................................1990
Graduate Assistant .......................................................................................1990
Maryland..................................................................................1989
Graduate Assistant .......................................................................................1989
eXecUtiVes & coacHinG
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GUntHer
cUnninGHaM
Assistant Head Coach/
Defensive Coordinator
Years with Lions: 3; Years in NFL: 30
Cunningham is a 42-year coaching veteran
on the college and pro levels, including the
past 29 seasons in the NFL. He has been
a defensive coordinator in the league for
12 seasons and a head coach (Kansas City, 1999-2000) for two.
Cunningham has also worked with linebackers and defensive linemen
for 16 of his seasons in the pros. As a coach in the NFL, Cunningham
has earned the respect of both his peers and players for his intense
and straightforward approach to coaching. He is known as a strong
motivator who emphasizes the importance of an aggressive and hardhitting
defense. Additionally, Cunningham also brings the elements of
being a talented defensive teacher and tactician.
LIONS COACHING HIGHLIGHTS
The Detroit Lions had one of the most improved defenses in the NFL.
Detroit was one of six teams to improve their overall total defense
ranking by 11 spots (32 in 2009 to 21 in 2010), and they were one
of just three teams to improve their pass defense by 16 (32 in 2009
to 16 in 2010).
In the passing game, the defense was the most-improved unit
in the NFL, allowing 751 less yards (46.9 yards per game) than
in 2009.
Detroit was also the most-improved defensive unit in the League
in points allowed with 125 points fewer (7.8/game) than the
previous season.
The Lions defense was the NFL’s fourth-most improved unit in
regards to total yards allowed, giving up 777 yards less than in
2009, which equates to 48.6 less yards per game.
In Week 13, the defense was instrumental in the team’s 7-3 win
over the eventual Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers as they
held the Packers to 0 points in the fi rst half. The Lions allowed a
season-low 258 total yards and a season-low 66 rushing yards.
Detroit’s defense forced 29 takeaways (14 interceptions, 15 fumble
recoveries) in 2010, six more than the year before, which made
them eighth-most improved unit in the NFL in 2010.
The Lions defense is being built around young playmakers
and improved by quality veterans. Cunningham believes in putting
tremendous pressure on opponents upfront, and the team’s front
four, led by 2010 Rookie of the Year and All-Pro DT Ndamukong Suh
and 11-year veteran DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, is beginning to make its
mark in the League. That unit will lead the way for the Lions defense
in the foreseeable future.
The success by a defense many times can be measured by pressure
and turnovers. Cunningham’s defense in 2010 registered 44 sacks – the
sixth most in the NFL – and 25 takeaways. These elements continue
to improve as the team adds talent to all three units on defense.
From 2004-08, Cunningham served as the Kansas City Chiefs
defensive coordinator during his second stint with the organization.
In 2008, he also coached the team’s linebackers as the Chiefs’ defense
began a transition with six new starters and endured numerous injuries
throughout the season. From 2004-07, his imprint on the defense was
prevalent in several areas.
In 2007, Cunningham’s defense ranked in the top fi ve in nine
diff erent defensive categories, including a league-high in third-down
defense (30.2 pct.), negative plays forced (121) and 10+-play drives
(1). The Chiefs ranked second in allowing touchdowns on defensive
possessions (37.2 pct.) and in Red Zone defense (37.2 TD pct.). Kansas
City was third in the league by allowing just 28 off ensive touchdowns,
the lowest tally for the team since 1997. The defense allowed 18.6
off ensive points per game, the lowest for the Chiefs since 1999.
Overall, Kansas City’s pass defense ranked fi ſt h in the NFL in 2007
allowing only 188.9 yards per game. They also tied for fi ſt h in threeand-outs
forced (47) and fi rst downs allowed (278).
After just two seasons following his return to Kansas City,
Cunningham improved the Chiefs rushing defense that ranked 30th in
the league in 2003 (146.5 yards allowed per game) to seventh in the
NFL in 2005 (98.1 yards allowed per game). The 98.1 rushing yards
allowed per game was the lowest the Chiefs yielded since 1997. In
2005, the Chiefs were ninth in Red Zone defense (46.7 TD pct.) aſt er
ranking 27th the previous season. They also tied for the second highest
tally of forced fumbles that year with 33.
In 2004, Cunningham began the process of improving the team’s