Where does Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz rank on our list of the 40 most influential people in Cleveland sports?

No. 12. Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz

Cleveland values ​​one assistant coach more than multiple head coaches. More Browns fans can name him than any other team owner in town. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is 12th on our list of most influential athletes, but second (at best) on Cleveland's coaching org chart.

This all sounds crazy unless They lived here or love the Browns. Schwartz only controls a third of the city's favorite team, but he enjoys twice as much respect on the road as other coaches in his position.

Of course, it also requires double checking. Last season's 45-14 playoff loss to the Texans, in which Houston outsmarted Schwartz's defense multiple times, still stings the city eight months later. And fans are still puzzled by the fact that the league's top defense allowed 29.6 points per game on the road last season.

But Schwartz has a plan to throw more curveballs in his second season after keeping Cleveland's plan simple in 2023. Its defense still features the league's reigning Defensive Player of the Year (edge ​​rusher Myles Garrett) and two Pro Bowlers (cornerback Denzel Ward and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah). And Cleveland's offense was expected to put less strain on Schwartz's unit with a healthy Deshaun Watson in tow.

Should. Could. Cleveland hopes. But either way, Schwartz will still feel the heat from the league's most passionate fan base. Watson scores? Schwartz's defense is now out of excuses. Houston Style performances have a zero-tolerance policy. Watson falters? Cleveland needs its defense more than ever, which means the fan base is watching Schwartz with a critical eye usually reserved for head coaches or front office people.

Sounds crazy, right? Unless you live in Cleveland or love the local football team.

The 40 Most Influential People in Cleveland Sports (So Far):

• No. 40: Sherrone Moore, Michigan football coach
• No. 39: John Harbaugh, coach of the Baltimore Ravens
• No. 38: TJ Watt, edge rusher for the Pittsburgh Steelers
• No. 37: Jameis Winston, Browns quarterback
• No. 36: Will Howard, Ohio State quarterback
• No. 35: Justin Fields, quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• No. 34: Mike Tomlin, coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• No. 33: Joe Burrow, quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals.
• #32: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce
• #31: Tom Hamilton, Guardians radio announcer.
• No. 30: Jim Donovan, former radio voice of the Browns.
• No. 29: Patrick Mahomes, quarterback of the Chiefs.
• No. 28: Lamar Jackson, quarterback of the Ravens.
• No. 27: LeBron James, Lakers forward.
• No. 26: Denzel Ward, Browns cornerback
• No. 25: Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor
• #24 Steven Kwan, Guardians outfielder
• #23: Emmanuel Clase, Guardians closer
• No. 22: Jarrett Allen, Cavs center
• No. 21: Evan Mobley, the Cavs' big man
• No. 20: Amari Cooper, Browns wide receiver
• No. 19: Darius Garland, Cavs guard
• No. 18: Jedrick Wills Jr., Browns tackle
• No. 17: Dan Gilbert, Cavs owner
• #16: Paul Dolan, owner of the Guardians
• No. 15: Stephen Vogt, manager of the Guardians
• No. 14: Kenny Atkinson, Cavs coach
• No. 13: Ryan Day, Ohio State coach