When last we saw new Cleveland Browns consultant Tom Telesco as an NFL general manager, he was running the Raiders, a tenure that lasted one year, resulted in a 4-13 record under Antonio Pierce, who was made head coach after having been the interim and then fired a year later, setting up a 2-15 season after Telesco left. Sounds like a perfect guy for the Browns to have pitch in on their head-coaching search, no?
But that’s what is happening according to league insiders, as current general manager Andrew Berry has sought outside help in this excruciatingly long process to find a replacement for Kevin Stefanski. Telesco, before joining the Raiders, spent 11 years with the Chargers–seven of which featured Phillip Rivers as quarterback–and made three playoff appearances in his entire career.
But insider Jordan Schultz reported on Saturday, “Among those involved in the #Browns HC search is former Chargers and Raiders GM Tom Telesco, who has been serving as a consultant and helping the organization in its process to find a head coach. I’m told he has been in meetings with the in-person candidates.”
Browns Have 4 Interviews Completed
Last week, the Browns completed three in-person interviews with potential Stefanski replacements. They talked with current Cleveland defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, ex-Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and 30-year-old Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski.
They’re slated to talk with Nate Scheelhaase, the Rams‘ passing game coordinator, next week after the NFC Championship Game.
But the Telesco revelation led to another twist. Amid speculation that the Browns would not add a minority candidate interview just to fulfill the requirements of the Rooney Rule–because that would make a sham of the Rooney Rule–the Browns did exactly that, interviewing former Chargers coach Anthony Lynn (a Telesco hire) in Florida.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN: “Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn interviewed Saturday night in Florida for the Browns head coaching job, per league sources. It was Lynn’s second head coach interview of the day, having met earlier Saturday with the Bills. Former Chargers GM Tom Telesco is working for the Browns as a consultant during their coaching search, and Telesco and Lynn worked together in Los Angeles. Lynn also coached Cleveland’s running backs 2007-2008.”
Process for Head Coach Has Been Slow
If it feels like this process has been especially lengthy for the Browns, it has. Already, Cleveland has seen two candidates pull out of consideration for the job, former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
There will be 10 coaching changes around the league this offseason, an especially high number, but already, six teams have filled their vacant roles. The four remaining open jobs are the Browns, Cardinals, Bills and Raiders.
Some of the jobs that have been filled opened well after the Browns fired Stefanski, on the first day after Week 18. Here’s the update on whom was hired where:
- Atlanta Falcons: Kevin Stefanski (former Browns HC)
- Baltimore Ravens: Jesse Minter (former Cahrgers DC)
- Miami Dolphins: Jeff Hafley (former Packers DC)
- New York Giants: John Harbaugh (former Ravens HC)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike McCarthy (former Cowboys, Packers HC)
- Tennessee Titans: Robert Saleh (former 49ers DC, Jets HC)
Browns Add Surprising Ex-Executive to Coaching Search Mix