The Opening Drive 1/7: This Coaching Search is Unlikely to Have Fanbase Approval
This will be all about the results and less about the process.
When any good thing ends, we tend to remember the best moments and block out the worst. Browns fans are firmly in that stage of separation from Kevin Stefanski. The memories of 2020’s promise and the unexpected playoff run in 2023 are what linger. Some of that is fair, no doubt. Some of it is also a byproduct of how poor things were under those who came before him.
What gets blocked out are the memories of ineffective offenses, misguided game plans, and an inability to manage bigger personalities. Blocked, too, are the failed special teams, the excessive procedural penalties, and the coordinator turnover. Position coaches who clearly needed an overhaul somehow kept their jobs.
There is no question that Stefanski brought stability and relevance back to the Cleveland Browns, particularly within the AFC North. But rising above past failures cannot be the only standard. If the Browns want to go places they’ve never been, they must find the right solution at the top of the organization.
As of now, the team has five confirmed interviews. Internal candidates Tommy Rees and Jim Schwartz will both interview on Thursday. The first external name to emerge was Todd Monken, currently with the Baltimore Ravens. Since then, two more external candidates have surfaced: Aden Durde, the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, and Dan Pitcher of the Cincinnati Bengals. Pitcher has ties to Andrew Berry from their shared time with the Indianapolis Colts.
The name everyone wants — not just in Cleveland, but across the league — is John Harbaugh. While he isn’t a perfect candidate, he’s about as close as you’ll find in the NFL. His 18 years with the Ravens were defined by sustained winning and a Super Bowl title. The Browns would benefit greatly from his presence, but his arrival in Cleveland feels more like wishful thinking. Anything can happen, but better situations around the league are likely to present a more appealing final chapter for Harbaugh’s career.
He may be the only candidate the fan base would universally rally behind. The more likely hire will be divisive. Too offensive-minded or too defensive-minded. Too young and inexperienced, or too old school. Trepidation will come regardless. But someone will get the job, and they’ll get the chance to prove they belong.
I’d urge fans to revisit the reaction when Dan Campbell was hired by the Detroit Lions, or how people felt about Liam Coen in Jacksonville Jaguars. Results are what matter — nothing more. Process has its place, but for head coaches, it ultimately comes down to outcomes, and the next one will need them quickly.
Maybe the Browns get fortunate and land Harbaugh, but the odds remain long. Whoever they hire, I’d simply urge fans to give them a chance to prove the one thing most of us are afraid to admit: We don’t actually know who will — or won’t — be a successful head coach.
Below you’ll find the latest in the BFB catalog for supporters to dig into. Click the link to become a supporter if you haven’t already, and enjoy all the latest from Browns Film Breakdown.
Latest Podcasts:
Latest Film Rooms:
Latest Articles:
According to Adam Schefter, the Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has now declared for the NFL Draft. As we all know the Browns winning their final two games of the season has forced them to be on the outside looking in for the top names at the position, but if they do care to try their hand at the position, either late in the first or with their early second round pick, Simpson could be of some intrigue despite his rough conclusion to 2025.
Simpson has warts on the tape, no doubt, but there were also clear deficiencies in that Alabama offense that put him in the only role capable of moving the ball. He handled timing concepts well and was never afraid to get to the backside dig — and you know we enjoy that here.
His biggest issue comes when dealing with pressure and consistently delivering the ball with accuracy, but he does have the ability to function within an offense that relies heavily on middle-of-the-field throws and a dense play-action structure.
The Browns will do their due diligence on Simpson and determine whether he’s worth their time over the next three months. This will likely be one of the most heavily debated prospects throughout the pre-draft process.
Browns Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.
Please Fix Peter Moses’ mike volume. Really irritating when he reads ad copy at a much higher volume but we can barely hear his BFB discussion.