The Cleveland Browns fired Head Coach Kevin Stefanski earlier this week. As the team looks for the 23rd head coach in its history, we’ll list some of the more well-known contenders and reasons why or not to hire them.
Coordinators With HC Experience
Robert Saleh, San Francisco DC
During his four-year stint in New York, Saleh did what most thought was impossible: he made the Jets into a competitive football team ( albeit for a short time). In the 2022 season, the Saleh-led Jets started the year 7-4, only to lose six of their last seven games, thus missing the playoffs. Saleh, who was fired after the 2024 season, compiled a 20-36 record while in New York. After a brief stint with Green Bay, Saleh was hired as a defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. His zone-oriented defensive scheme could potentially collide with Jim Schwartz’s system, which relies mostly on man coverage.
Pros:
- Hard-nosed defensive-oriented coach
Cons:
- Clashing defensive philosophies with current DC Jim Schwartz
- Had little offensive success while in New York
Matt Nagy, Kansas City OC
Former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy is currently generating interest for multiple coaching vacancies. He spent two stints in Kansas City as an offensive coordinator (2016-2017, 2023-present), but is mostly known for his tenure as Chicago Bears head coach, where he won NFL Coach of the Year in 2018. The west coast zone offense he ran in Chicago was very similar to Stefanski’s offense in Cleveland, so there wouldn’t be a steep learning curve on that end. It has been noted that his ability to maintain locker room cohesion and promote the team’s culture is one of the best in the league.
Pros:
- Good locker presence
- Innovative offensive playcaller
Cons:
- Least successful Kansas City OC during Reid-Mahomes era
- Failed to develop multiple 1st round QBs while in Chicago
Vance Joseph, Denver DC
Arguably, the hottest name in this year’s coach carousel is Vance Joseph. Much like the previous coaches on this list, this is Joseph’s second stint with his current team. From 2017-2018, while head coach for the Broncos, Joseph had little success, compiling an 11-21 record. As a defensive coordinator, however, he oversaw the league’s best defense. This season, the Broncos’ defense allows the fewest yards per game, while ranking in the top-three in fewest points per game allowed, opposing QBs’ completion percentage, and yards per carry.
Pros:
- Highly regarded, accomplished DC
- Learned under Wade Phillips in Houston
Cons:
- Would need a reliable OC to call offensive plays
- Very little experience as HC
Brian Flores, Minnesota DC
Flores spent a decade with the New England Patriots in various coaching roles. Being a part of Bill Belichick’s coaching tree, Flores learned plenty of tactics his former employer used, such as intense focus and attention to detail. He incorporated those lessons as his coaching style when he was hired as head coach for the Miami Dolphins in 2019. In Miami, he was known for a rigid, no-nonsense coaching style. This would backfire on Flores as reports of friction between him and QB Tua Tagovailoa soon arose. Flores was fired after the end of the 2021 season. After a brief stint in Pittsburgh, Flores was hired as a defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. This season in Minnesota, Flores’ defense terrorized opposing quarterbacks by allowing the second-fewest passing yards per game while having the second-highest sack rate.
Pros:
- Won multiple Super Bowls in New England
- Strict coach who demands the best from players and staff
Cons:
- An authoritative style could cause issues in the locker room
- The current lawsuit against the NFL could bring unwanted distractions
Promising Coordinators
Klint Kubiak, Seattle OC
Son of former Houston Texans and Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak, Klint Kubiak has turned heads recently as Seattle’s play caller. This season, the Seahawks’ offense averaged the third-most points per game (28.4), while ranking in the league’s top-ten in passing yards (228.1, eighth-most) and rushing yards (123.3, tenth-most). Kubiak ran a run-heavy West Coast zone offense in Seattle, with a lot of play action. Given that Kevin Stefanski ran a very similar system in Cleveland, the offense could adapt fairly quickly. On the other hand, that same offensive scheme saw the Browns’ offense have the lowest PPG average for the past two years (15.8). With his similarities to the previous head coach, it’s hard not to think that Cleveland would be signing up for more of the same.
Pros
- Players would have familiarity with his scheme
- Oversaw one of the league’s best offenses while in Seattle
Cons:
- Less impressive resumè when compared to other candidates
- Stefanski 2.0?
- No head coaching experience
Jim Schwartz, Cleveland DC
A good way to ensure a team’s culture during a coaching transition is to hire from within, and one person currently on the Browns’ radar is Jim Schwartz. Schwartz originally broke into the NFL during the nineties as a scout on then-HC Bill Belichick’s staff while in Cleveland. During the 2000s, he sharpened his teeth as a defensive coordinator for Jeff Fisher and the Tennessee Titans. He was then the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2009-2013. The 2023 Assistant Coach of the Year has proven his worth for years now. He could be headed for a change of scenery if no offer from Cleveland were to arise.
Proven HC Looking For A New Home
John Harbaugh, Former Baltimore HC
In a somewhat shocking move, the Baltimore Ravens fired HC John Harbaugh. Harbaugh has the fourth-most wins amongst active NFL coaches with 180. He’s also the only candidate on this list with a Super Bowl victory as a head coach (Super Bowl XLVII). Consistency is Harbaugh’s greatest strength; he’s led Baltimore to a winning record 14 out of 18 years. That type of consistency is desperately needed in Cleveland, given the fact that in that same time frame, the Browns have only two winning seasons. Hiring a former rival may not be the most popular pick, but the Browns could definitely do worse.
Pros:
- Great culture setter
- Proven track record of success
Cons:
- His ability as a playcaller has been questioned for quite some time
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