The Detroit Lions have reached an agreement in principle with Jim Schwartz to become their next head coach, several sources told ESPN on Thursday.

Schwartz, the Tennessee Titans' defensive coordinator for the past eight seasons, has agreed in principle to a four-yeal contract.

On Tuesday, after a second interview with the Lions, Schwartz said the chance to coach the NFL's first 0-16 team motivated him to tackle it and succeed in it.

"I don't shy away from a challenge," Schwartz said earlier this week.

The Lions fired Rod Marinelli after his team made history. Schwartz just finished his 10th season with the Titans.

Before being hired in Tennessee, Schwartz spent three years on the Baltimore Ravens' staff. He also was a college and pro scout for the Cleveland Browns and that experience might be valuable in Detroit.

The Lions have the No. 1 pick in April, along with first- and third-round picks from the Dallas Cowboys, and need to find players to spark a turnaround.

Among other things, the Lions will be counting on Schwartz to come up with ways to improve a defense that ranked last in the league and gave up 517 points -- threatening the NFL record for points allowed (533) in a season set by the 1981 Baltimore Colts.

ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen, ESPN NFL reporter Michael Smith and The Associated Press contributed to this story.