NFL coaching carousel: Browns top head coach candidates

Andy McNamara

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NFL coaching carousel: Browns top head coach candidates image

Seven wins over the past two seasons, a 31st ranked point-per-game offense, and consistently costly on-field player discipline, all point to a head coaching change in Cleveland.

Two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski's time as Browns leader appears to have run its course. Especially with a media leak on Tuesday reporting that the franchise has conducted "preliminary research" for a replacement.

The question is - who are the best choices out there?

Let's take a look at a few of the head coaching candidates both in and out of the NFL that the Browns could consider. 

 

Currently in the NFL

Mike McDaniel -  current head coach of the Miami Dolphins

McDaniel presently sits with a 35-32 regular season record since heading to south beach in 2022 (0-2 in the playoffs). This will be his second straight sub.500 year.

If he and the Dolphins part ways, is Cleveland a possibility?

McDaniel was wide receivers coach with the Browns in 2014.

MORE: Browns DC Jim Schwartz wants to be a NFL head coach again. Should Cleveland keep him?

 

NFL insider Dan Graziano of ESPN mentioned Wednesday, "I'm hearing conflicting things on Miami; for a while it sounded as if Mike McDaniel was a good bet to stay, but lately the winds seem to have shifted a bit on that, so we'll see where that lands." He continued, "Cleveland is a spot people are keeping an eye on, with the idea that Kevin Stefanski could be a head coach candidate elsewhere if the Browns do move on."

 

Jim Schwartz - current Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator

This would be Schwartz' second try as a NFL head coach. As Detroit Lions sideline boss from 2009-2013, Schwartz compiled a record of 29-52. That included one playoff berth in 2011, a wild card loss to the Saints.

A logical argument to promote Schwartz is that it keeps the Browns' impressive defense intact. Under his tutelage Myles Garrett is set to win a second Defensive Player of the Year award, while linebacker Carson Schwesinger is expected to secure Rookie DPOY honors.

Other possibilities:

  • Jeff Hafley (Packers DC)
  • Chris Shula (Rams DC)
  • Robert Saleh (49ers DC)
  • Matt Nagy (Chiefs OC)

 

Outside the NFL options

Mike McCarthy - overall head coaching record with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys is 174-112-2 (.608). Won a Super Bowl with the Packers, and is 11-11 in the playoffs.

Jon Gruden -  would be a controversial hire because of his lawsuit with the NFL. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam isn't afraid to make bold moves, and a Gruden hire would rock the league. A Super Bowl champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and two stints with the Raiders, Gruden's been out of the NFL since 2021.

Regular season record is 117-112 (0.511), and 5-4 in the post-season.

Steve Sarkisian - ESPN's Jeremy Fowler commented, "Texas coach Steve Sarkisian publicly denying any NFL interest back in October doesn't necessarily end the conversation. He has deep NFL ties after stints with the Falcons and Raiders over the years, and he could easily gauge the market without being directly involved."

College football sleeper - Bret Bielema

It's a longshot, but Fowler mentions the Illinois head coach who's won 19-games over the past two seasons. "He spent three years as an NFL assistant between collegiate head coaching stints, so I believe the pros is still attractive to him. He's an outside-the-box idea."

 

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News Correspondent