Browns head coach tracker: multiple interviews set; Harbaugh 'mutual interest'

Andy McNamara

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Browns head coach tracker: multiple interviews set; Harbaugh 'mutual interest' image

Browns GM Andrew Berry has been busy setting up interviews to hire the teams' next head coach. It all started on Thursday, January 8th.

Could it be current DC Jim Schwartz who's developed this Browns defense into a juggernaut? What about coordinators from division rivals or young rising star candidates?

Here's the latest updated coaching tracker:

Mike McDaniel (Former Dolphins Head Coach)

  • Status: Interviewed Monday, Jan 12th.

  • The Scoop:  This would be McDaniel's second tour of Cleveland since he was a wide receivers coach back in 2014. Despite the struggles in Miami this season, he's still viewed as one of the most creative offensive minds in the NFL. McDaniel could be the jolt the Browns need to start scoring at a much higher rate.

More: Next Browns head coach? How Nate Scheelhaase’s ‘McVay-style’ scheme can fix Cleveland’s broken offense

Nate Scheelhaase (Rams Pass Game Coordinator)

  • Status: Interview Requested

  • The Scoop:  The fastest rising wildcard in the search, the 35-year-old Sean McVay protégé who helped deliver the NFL's top scoring and passing offense this season as the Rams' pass game coordinator.

Todd Monken (Ravens Offensive Coordinator)

  • Status: Interviewed Saturday, Jan 10th.

  • The Scoop: A familiar face (Browns OC in 2019). Rumors of friction with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore make him a fascinating "red flag" candidate. He may follow John Harbaugh to his next job.

Jesse Minter (Chargers Defensive Coordinator)

  • Status: Interview Requested.

  • The Scoop:  A rising star in the coaching ranks, Minter’s impressive resume includes a 2023 National Championship with Michigan and a 2025 Chargers defense that ranked ninth in points allowed per game.

John Harbaugh (Former Ravens Head Coach)

  • Status: Interview Requested.

  • The Scoop: The biggest fish in the pond. Since his shock firing, he has become the "dream hire" for the Cleveland fan base. Would he stay in division and play against his former Ravens squad twice a year?

Aden Durde (Seahawks Defensive Coordinator)

  • Status: Interviewed Friday, Jan. 9th

  • The Scoop: The "Wild Card." The British-born coach has led a dominant Seattle defense and is the most "outside-the-box" name on the list.

Dan Pitcher (Bengals Offensive Coordinator)

  • Status: Interviewed Friday, Jan. 9th

  • The Scoop: The "Division Rival" play. He has strong ties to GM Andrew Berry from their time together in Indianapolis. Young (39), embraces analytics, and has overseen a prolific scoring offense in Cincinnati. An intriguing option to create a dynamic Browns attack.

Tommy Rees (Browns Offensive Coordinator)

  • Status: Interviewed Thursday, Jan. 8th

  • The Scoop: The 33-year-old rising star. He took over play-calling in Week 10 and the front office is desperate to keep him, even if he doesn't get the HC job. This would be a tough sell to the fanbase that saw little to no improvement in the offense once Rees was in control.

Jim Schwartz (Browns Defensive Coordinator)

  • Status: Interviewed Thursday, Jan. 8th

  • The Scoop: The fan favorite. He led a top-5 defense in 2025 and is seen as a "stabilizing force" with past HC experience. If Schwartz isn't promoted, then there's a strong risk they'd lose him. Something I'm sure Myles Garrett would not be pleased about.

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Senior Editor