The Cleveland Browns have a problem. They are moving forward into their second round of interviews for their coaching vacancy, left after they fired Kevin Stefanski on the first day of the offseason. They could yet add another name to the mix, with Bills coach Sean McDermott now on the market following his surprise firing this week. But McDermott is white, and the Browns are required, under NFL rules, to have a face-to-face interview with at least one other minority candidate.
As things stand, the Browns have five finalists for the job and have conducted two second interviews. Those were with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
They’re also slated to talk with defensive coordinator Jesse Minter of the Chargers and Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, as well as the lone remaining minority candidate for the job, Nate Scheelhaase, the Rams’ passing game coordinator.
Browns Off Guard With McDaniel Withdrawal
The Browns expected to have former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel as a minority candidate, but McDaniel withdrew from consideration and is taking the Chargers’ offensive coordinator job. It’s clear that the Browns need another minority candidate to satisfy the Rooney Rule, but it’s unclear how that could happen.
Of course, any minority candidate who suddenly gets a call from the Browns to interview for their head-coaching position will know that they’re being used to check a box, and it’s unlikely anyone would leap and say, “Sure!” Cleveland appears to have painted itself into a corner thanks to McDaniel’s departure.
It could be a touchy subject, as the Browns have a Black general manager in Andrew Berry but have had only two Black head coaches in franchise history, Romeo Crennel and Hue Jackson.
GettyCleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry.
‘Homework’ for Browns on Sean McDermott
There could yet be another candidate added to the mix for the Browns, too, but he would not address the Rooney Rule problem–former Bills coach Sean McDermott, who was fired following Buffalo’s 33-30 overtime loss to the Broncos on Saturday.
McDermott was Buffalo’s coach for nine seasons, winning 98 games and five straight AFC East championships in that span, but he only got his team to advance to the AFC Championship Game twice, and never to the Super Bowl.
Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com noted that the team is weighing bringing McDermott into the mix, though it’s more focused on who’s still on the docket. She noted: The Browns are doing their homework on fired Bills coach Sean McDermott, but are more locked in on their five finalists getting second interviews this week and next.”
5 Candidates Currently Locked In
To recap, the Browns have looked at or requested interviews for 10 coaching candidates so far, though it appears that five are in serious consideration now–with the Rooney Rule issue pending. The list:
- Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, expected to join Stefanski with the Falcons.
- Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, had a second interview on January 19.
- Ex-Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, had a second interview on January 20.
- Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, not expected to advance.
- Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde, not expected to advance.
- Ex-Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, withdrew from consideration to take Chargers offensive coordinator’s job
- Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, second interview pending, but yet to be scheduled because the Rams are in the NFC championship.
- Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, second interview no January 22.
- Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, second interview on January 23.
- Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, never scheduled first interview.
Browns Do ‘Homework’ on Fired Coach Amid Search Turmoil