The pickings are getting slim for Cleveland.
Three candidates have withdrawn from consideration for the Browns’ head coaching job, and reports indicate the issue could be centered around ownership’s loyalty to defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Multiple reports stated that Schwartz is still a candidate to be get the top job, though Jared Mueller of Dawgs by Nature added that other candidates don’t want Schwartz as their defensive coordinator.
Grant Udinski, Mike McDaniel and Jesse Minter have all pulled out of the running for the Browns’ head coaching job, with McDaniel opting to be the Chargers’ offensive coordinator and Udinski — the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator — possibly also opting for a coordinator role rather than continue the process.
Minter was named the Ravens head coach shortly after withdrawing from Browns consideration.
Anthony Lynn, Todd Monken and Nate Scheelhaase are the three outside candidates remaining, as the lingering Schwartz makes it near impossible for the Browns to consider a young defensive mind like the Rams’ Chris Shula.
Scheelhaase, the Rams passing game coordinator, is now set to interview with the Bills as Los Angeles was eliminated from the playoffs.
Cleveland.com reported that Monken, the Ravens’ offensive coordinator under John Harbaugh, is still in the running and is open to keeping Schwartz on as defensive coordinator.
However, that same report indicated that Schwartz is gaining momentum to get the head coach job.
The Browns have arguably had the most bizarre head coach hiring process in recent memory, reportedly requiring prospective candidates to submit essays and complete personality tests to get the job.
After firing two-time Coach of the Year and now-Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski, team owner Jimmy Haslam confirmed they value Schwartz and want him in the building going forward.
“We think a lot of Jim Schwartz,” Haslam told reporters on Jan. 5.
Whether the Browns just decide to promote Schwartz and avoid the headache of other candidates feeling like they are in a power struggle with Schwartz remains to be seen.
Prediction market Kalshi has Schwartz as the betting favorite at 55 percent, while Scheelhasse is second at 40 percent, with both way ahead of Monken.
