Bills hire ex-Lions coach Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator

• The Bills hired former Lions coach Jim Schwartz to be their defensive coordinator
• Former Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine became the new Browns coach
• Schwartz went 29-51 in five seasons with the Lions

The next time Jim Schwartz gets serenaded by booing fans at Ford Field, it will be as defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills announced tonight they hired Schwartz as their defensive coordinator 25 days after he was fired as Detroit Lions coach.

He replaces Mike Pettine, who left to take the Cleveland Browns job Thursday.

Schwartz went 29-51 in five seasons with the Lions and led the team to its only playoff appearance of the millennium in 2011.

The Lions slumped down the stretch each of the last two years, losing their final eight games in 2012 and six of their final seven this year. Schwartz appeared to yell at home fans who booed his decision to play for overtime in his final game at Ford Field, which the Lions lost to the New York Giants, 23-20.

He'll return to Detroit this fall when the Lions host the Bills in the regular season.

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

Schwartz, who did not respond to a late-night text message, took a more hands-on role with the Lions defense this year and the team responded with its best defensive effort of his tenure.

The Lions finished 16th in total defense, 15th in points allowed and ranked sixth in the league against the run (99.8 yards per game), but had several late-game breakdowns that led to defeats.

Schwartz spent eight seasons as the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator before coming to the Lions in 2009. The Lions still owe Schwartz about $12 million for the final two years of his contract, but that debt will be offset by whatever money he makes in Buffalo.

The Bills also announced the hiring of former Lions quarterbacks coach Todd Downing in the same capacity.

The Lions hired Jim Caldwell to replace Schwartz 10 days ago, and offered Downing a reduced role on their coaching staff that he declined.

Birkett also writes for The Detroit Free Press.