Browns set to embark on “very thorough” head coaching search

The Cleveland Browns closed out the 2018 regular season on Sunday in Baltimore.

On Monday, general manager John Dorsey got down to the biggest task of the off-season: finding the team’s next full-time head coach.

Dorsey met with the media on Monday and once again laid out what he is looking for, according to clevelandbrowns.com:

“You want a man of character. A guy who can instill leadership into these young men. A guy who is a collaborative thinker. A guy who is a continuous learner. A guy who is consistent on a day in and day out basis and who those player can look up to and go, ‘You know what? I will follow that guy anywhere.’ Once you can get a guy and identify a guy like that, those are the types of guys you are looking for. That is the goal for the organization is to get to what is best for this organization – find a man of character who can lead young men.”

Dorsey also discussed how what he described as a “very thorough” process will play out. According to Dorsey:

• He will interview interim head coach Gregg Williams on Tuesday
• He will interview offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens at some point in the future
• He will allow the next head coach to hire his own staff
• He will not talk about who the team will interview in advance, but will confirm interviews after they take place
• Quarterback Baker Mayfield will not have a say in the hiring of the next head coach
• He will not put a timetable on making the decision

Now that Browns fans know how Dorsey will go about the process, here is a rundown of some of the names attached to the job, along with a look at what they are currently up to.

Caldwell coached the Indianapolis Colts from 2009 through 2011, going 26-22 and making a Super Bowl appearance in 2009. He also was head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2014 through 2017, going 36-28 and making two playoff appearances.

According to his bio on the Patriots’ website, Flores just finished his 11th season with the Patriots, the past three of which he coached the linebackers. He has also coached the safeties, as well as serving as an offensive assistant/special teams coach.

According to the Saints’ website, Campbell is in his third season as the team’s assistant head coach/tight ends. He played for 11 seasons before spending the past eight years as a coach. Prior to New Orleans, Campbell was on the coaching staff with the Miami Dolphins for six years, and took over as interim coach for the final 12 games of 2015, going 5-7.

According to Minnesota’s website, just completed his 13th season with the team. He has coached quarterbacks, tight ends and running backs with the Vikings, and took over as offensive coordinator this season when the Vikings fired John DeFilippo.

According to the Colts’ website, this past season was the first for Eberflus as the team’s defensive coordinator. Prior to that, he spent seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, working as the team’s passing game coordinator/linebackers coach (2016-17) and linebackers coach (2011-15).

Sirianni also just completed his first season as offensive coordinator for the Colts. He has coached in the NFL for nine seasons, including a five-year stint with the Chargers, where he worked as wide receivers coach, quarterbacks coach and quality control-offense.

According to Pittsburgh’s website, Munchak just completed his fifth season as the offensive line coach for the Steelers. He previously spent time with the Tennessee Titans/Houston Oilers, first as a player and then as a coach. He was the Titans’ head coach from 2011 through 2013, posting a 22-26 record.

McCarthy went 125-77-2 in 13 seasons with the Packers, including a Super Bowl win in 2010. He was fired after Week 13 of this season amid growing discontent about his offensive play calling.

No Browns coaching search would be complete without owner Jimmy Haslam’s “good buddy” Peyton Manning being involved. Gase was fired on Monday after going 23-25 in four years as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

At least two former Miami players were not broken up about Gase being fired:

There will undoubtedly be more names added to the list as Dorsey and the Browns work through the hiring process. Have your say, Browns fans, in the comments about the possible candidates and who you would like to see on the sidelines come 2019.