Todd Monken is still firmly on the radar of the Cleveland Browns for their opening head coach position despite recent reports linking him to another job.
The Browns interviewed Monken for their opening on Jan. 10. It was reported after John Harbaugh landed the New York Giants job that he would be bringing Monken with him. Monken was Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens.
However, it appears that is not the case — at least yet, per ESPN’s Peter Schrager.
“Mike Kafka, who was the interim coach and the offensive coordinator last year, I’ve got it from pretty good people that he’s still in the mix as an offensive coordinator for the Giants,” Schrager said on Bill Simmons’ podcast. “Dart actually showed a lot of flashes with him. Everyone in the morning was like, Todd Monken’s going to be his offensive coordinator. Well, Todd Monken is interviewing for the Cleveland job on Tuesday, I believe, for the second time, and might be the Cleveland Browns’ head coach. So slow down with putting in who’s going to be the (Giants’) coordinators. But these hires, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinators, are almost as important as landing the plane with Harbaugh.”
Todd Monken Previously Spent Time With Browns
Monken is no stranger to Cleveland. He spent the 2019 season on the Browns’ staff under then-head coach Freddie Kitchens, a campaign that ended 6-10 and resulted in the dismissal of the coaching staff after just one year. Still, the familiarity could carry weight as the organization evaluates its next leader.
Before finding success as an NFL coordinator, Monken’s only head-coaching experience came at Southern Miss, where he went 13-25 from 2013-15. He was named Conference USA Coach of the Year in his final season, an honor that helped springboard him to his first NFL coordinator role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Monken later helped lead one of the nation’s most dominant offenses at Georgia, serving as offensive coordinator under Kirby Smart and helping lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships.
Browns Also Hosting Jim Schwartz for Second Interview
Another candidate the Browns want to have another conversation with is Jim Schwartz, who was the defensive coordinator under Kevin Stefanski.
Schwartz was the head coach for the Detroit Lions for five seasons, posting a 29-51 regular-season record. He 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) this past season. Schwartz also has the support of key players within the Browns’ building.
“I have so much love and respect for Coach Schwartz,” cornerback Denzel Ward said the day after the season. “Me, I would highly recommend Coach Schwartz for a head coaching job here, definitely.
“He’s a great coach. He’s helped my game tremendously, puts us in great positions, great leader. I can’t say enough great things about him, but I think he’s a guy that who you want in a coach and somebody to lead a team. And yeah, I know he’s a guy, he’s a great guy.”
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski are also in the mix for the Browns’ opening.
Browns Head Coach Candidate Back in Mix Despite Harbaugh-Link