The Cleveland Browns will interview both of their coordinators for their head coaching position after firing Kevin Stefanski.
Both offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will interview on Thursday for the job, per Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. Browns general manager Andrew Berry, who is leading the coaching search, spoke glowingly of both coordinators.
“So first with Jim, Jim’s an outstanding football coach,” Berry said on Monday. “We have a lot of respect for him, a lot of appreciation for him, and he has certainly earned the right for consideration, but that’s something that we still have to discuss and obviously discuss with him.
“And Tommy, he’s a very talented young coordinator. He’s held in very high regard, not just in college football, but across the NFL. But again, those are discussions that we have to continue to have.”
Rees has no prior head-coaching experience but is well regarded in the building. He took over play-calling duties from Stefanski in Week 10 and has drawn interest for college coaching opportunities.
Schwartz was the head coach for the Detroit Lions for five seasons, posting a 29-51 regular-season record. However, Schwartz has established himself as one of the best defensive minds in the league, with the Browns finishing No. 4 overall in total yards allowed (283.6).
Jim Schwartz Has Support of Browns Players
Multiple players from the defensive side of the ball have come out in support of Schwartz getting an opportunity as a head coach.
“I know he’s regimented and very efficient. That’s how he runs it on defense, so those two things would hold true,” Myles Garrett said of Schwartz prior to Stefanski being fired.
Browns standout Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward echoed a similar sentiment.
“So much love and respect for Coach Schwartz. Me, I would highly recommend coach Schwartz for a head coaching job here, definitely,” Ward said. “Like I said before, he’s a great coach. He’s helped my game tremendously. Puts us in great position, great leader, and I can’t say enough great things about him.
“I think he’s a guy who you want in a coach and somebody to lead a team. And yeah, I know he’s the guy. He’s a great guy.”
Ex-Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski Making the Rounds
Stefanski is one of the top coaching candidates during this cycle and he’s already lined up multiple interviews. He has met with the New York Giants and is expected to meet with the Tennessee Titans over the weekend.
Stefanski, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, was expected to garner a lot of interest after being let go by Cleveland following a 5-12 campaign.
“We have tremendous gratitude for Kevin’s leadership of the Cleveland Browns over the last six seasons. He is a good football coach and an even better person,” Browns co-owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam said after firing Stefanski. “We appreciate all his hard work and dedication to our organization but our results over the last two seasons have not been satisfactory, and we believe a change at the head coaching position is necessary.”
Another interesting name that recently became available is John Harbaugh, who spent nearly two decades with the Baltimore Ravens. He has links to Cleveland but has not been announced as a potential candidate.
Browns Make Decision on Jim Schwartz After Stefanski Firing