The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Browns’ next head coach will be under pressure to win quickly
The perception around the league — not just from General Manager John Dorsey trying to put his spin on a sales pitch — is the Browns coaching vacancy is the most coveted one available.
The reasons are obvious. The Browns finally have a quarterback that can carry the team in Baker Mayfield. They also have in end Myles Garrett, cornerback Denzel Ward, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and safety Damarious Randall the foundation for a strong defense. They have a passionate fan base and, most importantly, the best front office they have had since the Ernie Accorsi days more than 30 years ago.
Former Ravens coach Brian Billick, during an interview on 92.3 The Fan on Jan. 8, said the Browns are positioned to be a Super Bowl contender in the next two years.
That’s a great situation for the next coach to step into — far better than any the eight previous full-time head coaches experienced. But along with the great expectations comes something else Chris Palmer, Butch Davis, Romeo Crennel, Pat Shurmur, Rob Chudzinski, Mike Pettine and Hue Jackson didn’t have the first year on the job.
Whomever Dorsey and the search committee choose is going to be under immense pressure to win, and win right away.
Seven candidates have been interviewed since the end of the 2018 season — Browns interim head coach Gregg Williams, former Colts and Lions head coach Jim Caldwell, Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, Saints assistant head coach/tight ends coach Dan Campbell, Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores, Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and Browns offensive Freddie Kitchens.
Kitchens “is getting strong consideration,” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network to the point where the Browns are calling others who have worked with him for more input. Rapoport tweeted Kitchens and Stefanski are finalists for the job.
Reportedly, the Browns had planned to interview former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, but those plans are on hold.
The fact this is no longer a rebuild has to enter into the decision on which coach is hired. That doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be one with previous head coaching experience, such as McCarthy, Caldwell or Mike Munchak, currently the Steelers offensive line coach and formerly the Titans head coach. But Dorsey has to select a strong-minded coach who will stick to what impressed Dorsey in the interview and not panic if 2019 starts going off the rails.
The jump from 0-16 to 7-8-1 is reason to celebrate, but stepping back and looking objectively, the Browns have several holes to fill if they are to compete with the elite teams.
They need a left tackle, they are thin at running back behind Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson, they need a tight end behind David Njoku and they can use one more stud wide receiver. Defensively, they need a tackle, a pass rusher to mirror Garrett, at least one linebacker and they would benefit from a right cornerback.
Of course, the next head coach has to put together a strong staff. Kitchens as head coach and Williams as defensive coordinator would be an uncomfortable fit since Williams was 5-3 as Kitchens’ boss the last half of 2018.
Dorsey and Browns owner Jimmy Haslam have to be confident in their coaching choice if 2019 doesn’t result in a playoff spot or dramatic improvement. I don’t mean be patient if it’s a full-blown 2-14 disaster, but ownership and fans have to expect bumps on the road ahead.
Selecting a coach that can handle the pressure of knowing instant success is expected and being able to weather Sundays that don’t go well will not be easy. Dorsey and his crew should take all the time they need.
Schudel can be reached via email at JSchudel@ News-Herald.com; On Twitter @JSProInsider