The Cleveland Browns head coach search is nearing a conclusion.
Cleveland appears to be down to three candidates in Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and current defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Many Browns fans have complained about Schwartz potentially getting the job. Yet, NFL insider Aditi Kinkhabwala of CBS Sports explained why hiring Schwartz isn’t settling.
“It’s very easy to sit here and say people are saying no so the Browns are going to have to settle,” Kinkhabwala said on 92.3 The Fan. “I don’t know if I’m getting that sense. We have known from the start they have wanted to keep Jim Schwartz. Nobody has said whether Jim Schwartz is willing to stay if he’s not the head coach. My guess is that his leverage is lost if he says that.
“He’s keeping that up in the air, that is something the organization has to weigh, if you go in a different direction, do you get to keep a defensive coordinator who clearly motivated his unit to bring it, even when the offense wasn’t upholding its end of their bargain. He has made it clear he wants to be a head coach again and has learned from the first time around. … I don’t think it’s fair to say the Browns are settling.”
Kinkhabwala believes so many defensive players respect and like playing for Schwartz, which should help his case to be the head coach. He also understands the fans and the orgainzation which is a plus for him to land the job, according to Kinkhabwala.
Browns Owner Wants to Keep Schwartz
After Cleveland opted to fire Kevin Stefanski, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said the team wants to keep Schwartz.
“Absolutely. Great coach, Haslam said if he’d like Schwartz to remain with the team.
Schwartz has been the Browns’ defensive coordinator since 2023 and has been a key reason for Cleveland’s success on defense.
Haslam didn’t stop there as he said Schwartz would firmly be in the mix for the head coaching job.
“You know, we haven’t looked at that yet. I would say this, we think a lot of Jim Schwartz,” Haslam added.
With plenty of candidates no longer being interested in the job, the Browns could very well hire Schwartz as their next head coach.
Schwartz was the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2009 until 2013, going 29-51, but he did lead the team to the playoffs once.
Cleveland Didn’t Make HC Candidates Write an Essay
Although the Browns’ head coaching search has been a lengthy one, Cleveland did that on purpose.
Yet, the rumor that the team made candidates write an essay wasn’t true, according to Klinkhabwala.
“There is clearly a lot of misinformation out there,” Kinkhabwala said. “I have been told that no candidate was asked to write an essay to apply for this job. The way I was told it, there was a five-question questionnaire. That sort of took care of a lot of things, saved a bit of time. No, I’m applying to Harvard, and I need to write a personal statement essay. However, the Browns have been very thorough. …
“My sense is what I have learned and the process is that they’re trying to be intentional in making sure that ownership, GM, HC, are all on the same page in terms of organization building.”
The Browns could name their next head coach any day now.
Analyst Defends Browns Potential Hiring of DC Jim Schwartz as Head Coach