:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26419139/usatsi_7641036_154224504_lowres.0.jpg)
The NFL is the pinnacle of the football world. The same league that broke Nick Saban, who exposed Vince Young and made Charlie Ward stick with hoops with a Heisman under his arm (which actually worked out for him. He made 34 million in the NBA! Dan Marino made 50 million in his career!) In the entire world, there are 32 men who can call themselves NFL Head Coaches. 32. That is 0.0000001% of the US population. The elite of the elite.
With such a prestigious position open, the Cleveland Browns should have plenty of people at the ready to fill the void.
Should be an easy sell for the Browns. A team with 5 Pro Bowl players, four of whom where named to 1st or 2nd team All-Pro's. Many people have pointed out how that is similar to the Kansas City Chiefs, who beside their multiple Pro Bowlers last season, limped to 2-14 record, but with a new coach and a new QB sprung themselves to a playoff spot and a 11-5 record.
Not only do the Browns have talent, they have young talent. They entered the 2013-2014 season with 2nd youngest roster in the NFL with an average age of 25 years. Did I mention that the Browns Pro Bowl players were aged 28 (Mack), 24 (Haden), 29 (Thomas), 25 (Cameron) and 22 (Gordon)?
Young and talented. Good times ahead!
Doesn't end there, as the Browns are flush with resources to add to this franchise. They have 10 picks in the 2014 draft, including 3 in the top 36 picks. They also have the most cap space in the league heading into a free agency period in which guys like Eric Decker, Jeremy Maclin, Jon Asamough, LaMarr Houston, Henry Melton, Brian Orakpo, BJ Raji and Alterraun Verner are set to hit the market. Cha-ching!
Coaches should be crawling over hot lava to get this job. Young talent, money to burn, draft picks a plenty and a division with two aging teams and another with a talented roster tied to a flawed QB. What's not to love? Sorry you asked.
The more you read, the more you see rumors and reports of coaches not being interested in the Browns job.
Let's get the obvious out of the way. The Browns fired Chud after one season. No matter what spin you put on it, firing your Head Coach less than 365 days after hiring him, is a bad look. Many raised an eyebrow last year when Chud was the choice, but maybe he was the only person who wanted the job? 92.3's Chris Fedor had an interesting tweet the other day when asked why no one from last season's round of interviews would be asked back.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/craigdavismusic">@craigdavismusic</a> because many of those interviewed had an awful experience w Haslam and banner. They would not take this job.</p>— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisFedor/statuses/419920146417713152">January 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
They would not take this job. They would not take this job because of an awful experience with Haslam and Banner. Remember, only 32 of these well paying jobs in the world.
But what about this off-season? Fedor had more:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Not hearing positive things about Adam Gase's desire to take the Browns job. Something can change tho. Anyone out there want the gig?</p>— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisFedor/statuses/419687955859386368">January 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That was supposedly the Browns first call when they fired Chud. Gase turned the Browns down, but he turned everyone down for interviews until the Broncos are done in the playoffs. But why would Gase not be interested?
What about Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels? The supposed apple of Michael Lombardi's eye (and as we know, what Lombardi likes, Lombardi gets right Mr. Hoyer?)
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Josh McDaniels interviewing w/ Browns today. Based on some things I've heard I'd be surprised if he takes the job. Been surprised b4 tho</p>— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisFedor/statuses/419488967893848066">January 4, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Surprised he takes the job? Many have specualted that McDaniels is the supposed "Heir to the Hoodie" in New England. Would you leave New England (stable ownership, good roster, winning culture) for the Browns? Can see why he would tell the Browns no.
And what of Bob Stoops? I know the Browns said they weren't interested, but the smoke was there. Ian Rapoport said that the Browns viewed Stoops as "the perfect mix of players coach and disciplinarian". Seems like an awfully specific quote for a reporter to just make up. Is there a chance that Stoops took a look at the Browns and decided "...naaaahhhhh"? Seems more likely than a reporter just fabricating a story.
The Browns have done this to themselves. They have a front office which consists of a man who was fired by his own best friend when he wanted more power and has a terrible reputation with agents and teams (Banner), a man who went 7 years without a job even though his former mentor needed a GM for at least 3 of those years while Lombardi wanted back in the league, interviewing for the 49ers GM job in 2009-2010.) and a scouting staff littered with hand picked scouts with little or no scouting background. Add in an impatient owner that has a thick FBI file and you have a horrid situation.
Other teams may get turned down, but it usually by the likes of Bill Cowher (who turned us down before) or another well off coach who would rather do TV (Gruden). Not often does a team get turned down by a once fired HC and a first year Offensive Coordinator. Let's not forget that Chip Kelly also told the Browns "Thanks, but no thanks" last season. If you believe the rumors, McDaniels did the same last season as well.
Maybe it is Gus Malzahn, but a guy as hot as he is right now will have options. I'm guessing he may be swayed by bags of green stuff, and not of Davone Bess' interests.
The Browns will find a coach, and chances are they will tell us it was the person that they wanted all along, just like Chud.
Instead of asking who will the Browns hire, maybe the question we should be asking is who in their right mind would take it?