Jim Schwartz: Why Detroit Lions Will Never Win Anything with Current Coach

The Detroit Lions have ascended from irrelevant to formidable in nearly three years with head coach Jim Schwartz at the helm.

There is excitement and buzz surrounding this Lions team that had not previously existed. The Lions are in position to make the NFL playoffs for the first time since 1999.

Yes, Schwartz has guided the Lions to respectability in just his third year.

However, the Detroit Lions will never win a Super Bowl with Schwartz as the head coach.

While credit is certainly given where credit is due, Schwartz has yet to prove himself as a coach capable of leading men to victory.

While a 9-5 record is admirable, Schwartz's overall record with the Lions stands at a pedestrian 16-29 with a 5-12 record inside the NFC North.

The Lions' road record under Schwartz? A less-than-impressive 7-16.

Certainly, there are speed bumps to be expected for a new coach with a new team.

However, one should be hesitant to credit Schwartz for a slow turnaround when nemesis Jim Harbaugh has made the San Francisco 49ers a Super Bowl contender in his first season as head coach.

And with less talent. Who would you rather have: Alex Smith or Matthew Stafford?

The more important reason why Schwartz will never win a Super Bowl with the Detroit Lions has to do with team discipline.

A team's behavior on the field during pressure situations directly reflects the coach's demeanor.

Of course, every fan is aware of Ndamukong Suh's aggressive actions on the field of play. I would be shortsighted if I claimed the Lions lacked discipline solely because of Suh's actions.

Nay, it is the actions of the entire group that warrant such a claim. The Lions are the most penalized team in the NFL, accruing the second-most penalty yardage.

Since facing adversity after a loss to San Francisco, the Lions have leveled out to a 4-4 since. That includes a dominant win over the Tim Tebow-led Denver Broncos in which the Lions mocked the Florida quarterback relentlessly throughout.

Classy.

Which brings me to my final point: Until a team learns how to handle success, it cannot become elite. The Lions need to take lessons from the rival Packers on how to handle winning and carry that over to crunch time.

Unless Schwartz alters the mindset in the locker room, the Lions will never experience the joy of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

While temporary success is attainable, greatness is elusive when discipline comes between talent and winning.

With Schwartz as coach, such will be the case for the foreseeable future.