Jim Schwartz's status under review

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Unhappy with a tattered team culture that has existed under Jim Schwartz, the Detroit Lions coach's job has been under review by the Ford family that owns the team, according to league sources.

Schwartz publicly denied late in the week that he had a stormy relationship with general manager Martin Mayhew when SI.com cited that factor in reporting that the Lions coach's job could be on the line.

League sources say that the issues that have troubled owner William Clay Ford and his son, vice chairman Bill Ford Jr., pertain to the team's image and the coach's management style.

Schwartz has been credited with restoring the Lions' competitive status since he replaced Rod Marinelli after an 0-16 season in 2008. In 2011, Schwartz guided the Lions to their first playoff appearance since 1999 and was rewarded with a contract extension that runs through 2015.

Nevertheless, league sources say that even during the playoff season, the Fords were disturbed by a number of incidents that fell under Schwartz's domain. Schwartz's occasional gruff management personality also has come under scrutiny and will be addressed by ownership if Schwartz is back in 2013.

Team officials were non-responsive as to whether the Lions have had enough of Schwartz.

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Chris Mortensen

NFL reporter

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• ESPN Senior NFL Analyst
• Joined ESPN in 1991
• Has covered every Super Bowl since 1979