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January 11, 2016Should the Cleveland Browns get RG3? WFNY Podcast Episode 446
January 11, 2016While the news of Paul DePodesta being hired as an upper level executive to the Cleveland Browns has shaken the landscape, the team continues its quest to find the next head coach for the franchise. Thus far, eight candidates have been identified and seven of those have reportedly been interviewed. Only Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther has not been confirmed. As the Browns continue their interviews, two of the candidates have been hired by other teams.
Adam Gase, new Miami Dolphins head coach
Adam Gase has been hired by the Miami Dolphins. In addition to serving as the head coach, the Dolphins were willing to grant the first-time head coach final say on the 53-man roster. Such power was not going to be on the table with the Browns.
Gase was the hottest candidate this year. He continued to demonstrate his ability to get the most out of quarterbacks, as Jay Cutler had a strong season despite many injuries on offense and Chicago’s overall lackluster record. However, granting a relatively young and inexperienced coach the final decision on the roster is not something most teams would be willing to do.
Jerome Henderson, new Miami Dolphins defensive backs coach
Henderson was a bit of a surprise interview for the Browns and he is also off the market already, as he has committed to joining Gase in Miami. Given that Adam Gase is now bringing the former Browns defensive back coach to the same position with the Dolphins, it is possible the Browns interviewed him as part of the Gase interview process.
Henderson will be reportedly be working under the Dolphins’ new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who coached the defensive backs for the Cincinnati Bengals this past season. There is some discrepancy as to whether Joseph is waiting for his contract to expire (next Tuesday) or if he has not yet fully committed to the Dolphins.
Hue Jackson, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator
Following the Bengals playoff loss, Hue Jackson interviewed with the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday morning, followed by an interview with the Browns that evening. The Dolphins had also asked permission to interview Jackson, but they filled the position before they had the chance. Reports began circulating that the 49ers head coaching job was his and a “done deal,” but those rumors proved erroneous.
That report is incorrect. No offer. Thus, no deal. Could eventually be a done deal. Not even in offer stage now. https://t.co/pXoo4gIhMX
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 11, 2016
For any team wanting a head coach with previous head coaching experience, Jackson remains the most popular candidate available. The New York Giants threw their hat in the ring Monday.
Giants officially submitted request to interview Bengals OC Hue Jackson, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 11, 2016
Paul Guenther, Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator
Initial reports had the Browns interviewing both Bengals coordinators Jackson and Paul Guenther on Sunday, but the Browns did not meet with Guenther. After the playoff loss, there were also many reports flying around about Guenther replacing Marvin Lewis as head coach in Cincinnati. Bengals owner Mike Brown has made no indication he will be replacing Lewis, though many on the coaching staff are being snatched up by other teams.
Again, the Browns have yet to interview Guenther. The Philadelphia Eagles are the only other NFL team to have reportedly sought permission to interview him.
Teryl Austin, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator
Teryl Austin has been a popular interview candidate, as he has also interviewed with the Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants. At this point, there does not seem to be much traction for any of the teams to actually hire him as a head coach though he might be the fallback option for any of the clubs.
Doug Marrone, Jacksonville Jaguars assistant head coach
Doug Marrone has also had a busy interview schedule as he interviewed with the Dolphins and Giants. He is reportedly going to interview with the Tennessee Titans soon.
Early reports have indicated Marrone is the favorite to obtain the Giants head coaching position though the team also hopes to retain Ben McAdoo as offensive coordinator.
Sean McDermott, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator
Sean McDermott interviewed with the Browns on Sunday morning and also has interviewed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In a somewhat bold move, he also expressed interest in the Eagles job despite not having received an interview request.
Hiring McDermott might require some patience as the Carolina Panthers host the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday, and a deep playoff run would hold up any hiring. Any club wishing to hire him would have to have the confidence in completing the hire along with the same confidence he could find a strong staff to bring with him that late in the offseason.
Matt Patricia, New England Patriots defensive coordinator
Matt Patricia is in a similar situation to McDermott in any hiring must wait out a potentially long New England Patriots playoff run. The Patriots host the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.
Strangely, the Browns have been the only team to interview the Patriots defensive coordinator. The aeronautical engineering degree holder has had a unique voyage from low-level college graduate assistant to defensive coordinator of one of the keystone franchises of the NFL. However, the bearded wonder coach might be the type of innovative mind the Browns have in mind when considering their deep dive into the world of football analytics.
Chip Kelly, unemployed
The Browns have not expressed any reported interest in Chip Kelly and the San Francisco 49ers are the only team have have interviewed him.
Current Browns coaches
Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports several of the current coaches on the Browns staff are candidates to stay in their positions assuming the new coach wants them.
#Browns asked 4 assistants to stay if new HC wants them: OC DeFilippo, DBs Jeff Hafley, Asst DBs Aaron Glenn, QBs Kevin O'Connell per source
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 11, 2016
102 Comments
if being a Browns fan has taught me anything, then it is the ins-and-outs of a coaching search, yes.
After watching/hearing him speak, I can’t not look at him as Charlie from It’s Always Sunny…