It's his job to lose: Why Jim Schwartz is the clear frontrunner over Todd Monken for Browns HC

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Andy McNamara
It's his job to lose: Why Jim Schwartz is the clear frontrunner over Todd Monken for Browns HC image

The Cleveland Browns search for a new head coach is getting turned up a notch--and the answer may have been in the building the entire time.

It was announced on Friday that the club's decorated defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz would be receiving a second interview on Monday. 

For a franchise entering a critical transition period and continued rebuild, the Browns front office must be recognizing that keeping the leader of their one strength is crucial. Schwartz's defense has been outstanding, making him the new favorite as other young, rising star coordinators continue to be interviewed.

The accolades are well known. 2023 Assistant Coach of the Year, built a top-5 overall defense, unlocked Myles Garrett to awards and breaking the sack record, grooming Carson Schwesinger to likely be Rookie DPOY, as well as the respect of his players.

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ESPN's Jake Trotter said on The Really Big Show, "I think he's a real contender...a real possibility he becomes the next head coach." Trotter feels this search will end one of two ways, "it'll be either Jim Schwartz, or one of these 30-something young, hot shot offensive (coordinator) minds...in either scenario you keep Jim Schwartz calling the defense."

It appears that Schwartz's main competition is the only other candidate so far to be called in for a second interview--Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken, who will come into Berea again the day after Schwartz on Tuesday.

Stars like Garrett, safety Grant Delpit, and Pro Bowl CB Denzel Ward have all stated publicly they want Schwartz to stay. In a previous article on AllSportsPeople, I wrote how Ward didn't hold back on what the next head coach should be like after Kevin Stefanski was fired. He specifically mentioned that the locker room needs "assertiveness" and "accountability". That certainly matches Schwartz's demeanor.

The case for Monken is that Cleveland's offense hasn't been able to score at a respectable rate in two seasons, and he would provide successful schemes that worked in Baltimore as well as the college ranks.

Is it worth losing Schwartz and the defensive continuity for Monken, or anyone else?

Potential Finalists: Pros & Cons

Jim Schwartz

  • PROS:

    • Culture Setter-  Possesses the "alpha" personality required to lead a locker room through the growing pains of a rebuild.

    • Defensive Stability- Ensures Myles Garrett and the league's top-ranked defense don't regress during an offensive overhaul.

    • Draft Capital Focus- With high picks like the 6th overall in 2026, Schwartz allows the front office to focus resources on the offense while he handles the "D."

  • CONS:

    • Past HC Struggles- His 29-51 record in Detroit remains a talking point for skeptics.

    • Offensive Vision- Must prove he can hire, and work with, a modern offensive coordinator to develop the next Browns quarterback.

Todd Monken

  • PROS:

    • QB Whisperer- Proven success developing Lamar Jackson, and was part of a National Championship with Georgia. 

    • Fresh Perspective: Offers a total break from the Kevin Stefanski era with an explosive, modern offensive scheme.

  • CONS:

    • Defensive Risk- Hiring Monken likely means losing Schwartz, risking the collapse of Cleveland’s only elite unit.

    • The "Retread" Factor- Some fans are still weary of his tenure during the 2019 "Freddie Kitchens" era.

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