New Lions coach Jim Schwartz made the first important addition to his coaching staff Wednesday, hiring Kansas City's Gunther Cunningham as defensive coordinator.

Schwartz and Cunningham worked together for three seasons in Tennessee, when Schwartz was defensive coordinator and Cunningham was assistant head coach/linebackers coach. Last year in Kansas City, Cunningham's defense finished 31st in yards allowed and 29th in points allowed; the Lions were last in both categories.

Still, the 62-year-old is considered an aggressive coach whose blitz packages will give the Lions a distinctly different look from last year's Tampa 2 scheme.