Monken isn’t a stranger to Cleveland, having spent the 2019 season on the Browns’ staff under Freddie Kitchens. His background spans a successful college and NFL trajectory: Southern Miss head coach from 2013-15, where he earned Conference USA Coach of the Year in 2015, followed by coordinator roles with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a standout stint as Georgia’s offensive coordinator under Kirby Smart, and orchestrating powerful offenses that helped Georgia win back-to-back national championships. 🧭🏈🏆
The Browns are also bringing back Jim Schwartz for a second interview. Schwartz, the former Detroit Lions head coach, is revered as a premier defensive mind, and his fit with a Stefanski-era defense has been noted as a strength. The team’s defense performed well this season, and cornerback Denzel Ward publicly praised Schwartz, signaling strong internal support for him as a potential leader. 🛡️💬🙌
In addition to Monken and Schwartz, several other candidates are in the mix, including Mike McDaniel, Jesse Minter, Nate Scheelhaase, and Grant Udinski. The Browns appear to be prioritizing a balanced approach—considering both offensive and defensive coordinators as integral pieces alongside the head coach to “land the plane” with their next hire. 🤝🧩
Overall, Monken remains on the Browns’ radar despite the Harbaugh link, as Cleveland weighs a slate of candidates and how coordinators would complement the next head coach. The emphasis is on assembling a cohesive leadership team that can guide the franchise moving forward. 🏁🤞
