How the Cleveland Browns Have Botched Their Head Coach Search

When you hear the phrase “the Browns are the Browns,” it feels like a lazy way to categorize a poorly run organization. The problem is, the team can’t manage to get out of its own way, so the phrase is true every time it’s said.

After an exhausting three-week search for a head coach, the Browns finally found their new leader in Todd Monken. The former Ravens offensive coordinator was a shocking hire, to say the least. Since a poor exit from Cleveland in 2019, Monken had reworked his image, succeeding as the OC for Georgia and Baltimore the past five seasons.

The confusing part is that his stock was so low from his time with the Browns. He hated working with Freddie Kitchens and was telling everyone who listened what a disaster the organization was. I’m not saying he was wrong, but why would you want a guy like that back in the building?

Once the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator Grant Udinski removed his name from the Browns coaching search, it felt like there were only two options for the job. Cleveland could take a shot on the Rams’ up-and-coming play caller Nate Scheelhaase, or they could keep some uniformity with the team and promote Jim Schwartz from defensive coordinator to head coach.

Sources say Scheelhaase didn’t win the job because he was unwilling to commit to Schwartz as his defensive coordinator. To give the Browns some credit, Schwartz is currently one of the best coordinators in the league, and it would be a mistake to let him walk. However, if you’re scared to lose Schwartz, why didn’t you make him the head coach?

Hiring Schwartz would have been a little underwhelming, but the players seem to love him. Now you’ve hired Monken to try to keep Schwartz, but he’s disrespected and doesn’t want to stick around.

In perfect Browns fashion, by trying to be the smartest person in the room, you’ve managed to be the dumbest. You’ve now hired one of the worst available head coach options, Jim Schwartz is all but gone, and you have to hire three new coordinators, with Bubba Ventrone taking interviews and Tommy Rees following Stefanski down to Atlanta.

I’m not sure there’s an organization across the four major sports that’s worse at getting in its own way than the Cleveland Browns. At least owner Jimmy Haslam still has Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Milwaukee Bucks… for now...