Monken getting acquainted in his new role

In a business in which coaches survive by making a chain of connections on all levels of the coaching industry, there is something unusual about the relationship between Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens and his offensive coordinator, Todd Monken.

Kitchens, 44, and Monken, 53, did not know each other before Monken interviewed last month for the job that belonged to Kitchens for the second half of 2018.

That is not necessarily a bad thing. But it means they will spend some of the time between now and the start of the offseason program in April getting to know how each other thinks and learning to work closely together. Kitchens did not know Browns general manager John Dorsey, either.

“When I went to Jacksonville however many years ago (as receivers coach in 2007), I really didn’t know anybody there,” Monken said on Feb. 7 at his introductory news conference in Berea. “It just happened where you do a good job, someone recommends you and out of the blue you get a call — I wouldn’t say it’s out of the blue. Bottom line is, do a great job where you are and hopefully people will see that.

“To me, it’s pretty simple. I’ve always chosen places based on the people and the opportunity to win. When

you look at the young roster and when I came and met with Freddie, John and the other people in the organization, it just felt right. I felt like I wanted to be part of this moving forward.”

Monken spent the last three seasons as Buccaneers offensive coordinator. The Buccaneers finished last in the NFC South at 5-11 in 2018, but they led the NFL with 320.3 passing yards a game. They were 12th (396 points) in scoring — eight places higher than the Browns’ 359 points. The Bucs were 29th in run offense, prompting Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield to say half-jokingly at the Cleveland Sports Award ceremony Feb. 6:

“Obviously, they loved throwing the ball. I think we’re going to have to find ways to convince him to hand the ball off to (Nick) Chubb.”

Monken called plays in all but one game with the Buccaneers last season. He is relinquishing that chore to Kitchens, though he will be prepared to take over if Kitchens decides being the

head coach and play caller is too much.

“It’s always different once you get the job, right?” Monken said. “We’ve all gone through interviews. I’m being silly, but the bottom line is, like any assistant coach, your job is to do whatever the head coach tells you to do. If the head coach says ‘Do this,’ then you do it. If he decides he doesn’t want to call it and he says ‘You call it,’ I’ll call it. That’s what I did last year.

“Our personalities match. We’re working through (ideas) now to make it the Browns offense. Every day, you’re implementing things and talking through it.”

Monken said he will add run-pass options to the offensive game plans if he gets the green light from Kitchens. Kitchens at his introductory news conference said the playbook he used last season will carry over into 2019. Kitchens made a point of saying it would be much easier for Monken to learn the Browns’ offense than it would be for the entire offense to learn Monken’s scheme.

Still, Monken seems determined to put his own “Air Raid” stamp on the offense.

“To me, it’s not always just run-pass (balance),” Monken said. “It’s do you have enough skill players where they can touch the football?

“Is running the football important? Sure, because in order to win, you have to be explosive and not turn the ball over. How do you become explosive? Space players and throw it over (defenders’) heads or throw in intermediate pockets. Running the football adds to that.”

Monken had interviews for the head coaching jobs with the Jets and Packers but was passed over both times.

“I’m very impressed that Todd made that decision to come here because he had some other opportunities,” Kitchens said. “He showed an investment in me and showed an investment in what we’re trying to build and the vision where we’re taking this thing.”

Monken