Lead
In Berea, Ohio on Monday, the Cleveland Browns opened a formal search for their next head coach after parting ways with Kevin Stefanski. General manager Andrew Berry said defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz “has earned the right for consideration” and received strong endorsements from players. The team will pursue a broad, open-minded search for its 19th full-time head coach, considering candidates from both offense and defense and across age groups. Several internal and external names — including Tommy Rees, Brian Flores and Joe Brady — are expected to be among those evaluated.
Key Takeaways
- The Browns began a full head-coach search on Monday in Berea to fill their 19th full-time head coach role following Kevin Stefanski’s firing.
- Jim Schwartz, 59, is a leading internal candidate; he oversees an NFL No. 4 defense and won AP Assistant Coach of the Year in 2023.
- Tommy Rees, 33, called plays in Cleveland for the last nine games and retains backing from Nick Saban; the team hopes to retain him if possible.
- External candidates under consideration include Joe Brady (Bills OC), Brian Flores (Vikings DC), Robert Saleh, Matt Nagy, Mike McCarthy, Chris Shula, Jesse Minter and Jonathan Gannon.
- Several candidates have prior head-coaching experience: Schwartz (Lions 2009–13, 29–51), Saleh (Jets 2021–24, 20–36) and Gannon (Cardinals 15–36).
- Offensive development and quarterback coaching are priorities given potential windows for Shedeur Sanders or a rookie QB; Joe Brady is noted for QB growth (Josh Allen won MVP under his OC tenure).
- The Browns emphasize leadership and culture fit, even when scheme (3-4 vs. 4-3) might not match current personnel like Myles Garrett.
Background
The Browns’ decision to replace Kevin Stefanski follows an organizational evaluation of performance and direction; Stefanski, who had been hired in 2020, was dismissed after the 2025 season. Cleveland now intends to vet a diverse set of candidates rather than defaulting to one internal option. The team has repeatedly signaled a desire to marry strong leadership with schematic fit, balancing continuity on defense with fresh offensive ideas.
Jim Schwartz is an experienced assistant with a reputation for building stout fronts and disciplined linebacker play. He previously served as the Detroit Lions’ head coach from 2009–2013 (29–51) and has been a coordinator for the Titans, Bills and Eagles, earning a Super Bowl ring with Philadelphia in Super Bowl LII. That breadth of experience — plus his 2023 AP Assistant Coach of the Year recognition — make him a natural candidate in Cleveland.
Main Event
On Monday, GM Andrew Berry announced the search would begin immediately and confirmed Schwartz is among those given serious consideration. Berry emphasized the process will be broad and methodical, welcoming candidates of varied backgrounds and ages. Internally, the staff dynamic means Schwartz could be promoted while retaining offensive continuity if the front office opts to keep Tommy Rees as OC.
Tommy Rees completed his first season as Cleveland’s offensive coordinator in 2025 and called plays for the final nine games. Rees is widely regarded by some in coaching circles as an advanced offensive mind and retains public support from figures like Nick Saban, making him a potential internal interview target and a retention priority for the front office.
Outside candidates under discussion span experienced and emerging figures. Joe Brady, the Bills’ offensive coordinator, is viewed as a creative playcaller with strong quarterback-development credentials after working with Josh Allen. On defense, Brian Flores (Vikings DC) and Robert Saleh (formerly Jets head coach) are noted for leadership and disciplined units, even if their schematic ideas differ from the Browns’ current base defense.
Analysis & Implications
Promoting Jim Schwartz would signal a priority on defensive continuity and locker-room buy-in. Schwartz’s unit finished as the NFL’s No. 4 defense under his coordination, and multiple Browns defenders publicly endorsed him, suggesting internal support could smooth a transition. However, promoting a defensive-minded head coach could still necessitate an offensive coordinator hire or retention strategy to maintain quarterback development and playcalling consistency.
Bringing in an offensive-minded head coach like Joe Brady or Matt Nagy would shift emphasis toward quarterback coaching and schematic creativity. The Browns are balancing short-term competitiveness with a potential quarterback evaluation period, particularly if Shedeur Sanders or a rookie receives significant playing time. A head coach with demonstrable QB development skills could accelerate that process but might require restructuring defensive responsibilities.
Hiring a veteran with prior head-coaching experience — Mike McCarthy, Robert Saleh, or Matt Nagy — offers proven leadership frameworks and institutional knowledge. McCarthy’s Super Bowl-winning background and extensive offensive play-calling resume bring structure; Saleh and Nagy combine coordinator chops with prior HC experience. The trade-off is assessing whether their previous records reflect systemic issues (such as QB instability) or coach-specific shortcomings.
Comparison & Data
| Candidate | Current Role | Head-Coach Record | Notable Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Schwartz | Browns DC | Lions 2009–13: 29–51 (.363) | Top-5 defense, AP Asst. Coach of Year 2023 |
| Joe Brady | Bills OC | N/A (no full-time HC) | QB development, creative offense; coached Josh Allen |
| Robert Saleh | Former Jets HC / defensive background | Jets 2021–24: 20–36 | Leadership, 4-3 defensive continuity |
| Brian Flores | Vikings DC | Dolphins HC 2019–21: record reflected elsewhere | Disciplined, physical 3-4 defenses |
| Mike McCarthy | Former Packers/Cowboys HC | Packers 2006–18; Cowboys 2020–24 | Extensive HC experience, Super Bowl winner |
The table highlights head-coaching records and core strengths. Records do not alone determine fit: the Browns cite culture, leadership and scheme alignment as equally important. Statistical context — such as defensive ranking under Schwartz and offensive output under Rees — will be weighed alongside win-loss histories during interviews.
Reactions & Quotes
“He’s earned the right for consideration,”
Andrew Berry, Cleveland Browns general manager (official statement)
Berry framed the process as inclusive and deliberate, signaling neither a foregone conclusion nor a rush to promote. His comment reinforced the team’s intent to evaluate multiple profiles before making a decision.
“I’d like to be a head coach again someday,”
Jim Schwartz (public remarks)
Schwartz has publicly stated his interest in returning to a head-coaching role. Player endorsements from Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward and Grant Delpit add to his internal support, according to team reporting.
Unconfirmed
- No official interviews have been announced yet for specific candidates beyond the team’s general statement on starting the search.
- There is no public confirmation that Tommy Rees will be retained if an external head coach is hired; discussions are ongoing and subject to the incoming coach’s preferences.
Bottom Line
The Browns are beginning a broad and structured search that leaves multiple pathways open: promoting from within to preserve defensive continuity or hiring an external candidate to inject offensive creativity and quarterback development. Jim Schwartz stands out as a strong internal contender due to defensive results and locker-room support, but the organization has clearly signaled it will weigh leadership, culture fit and schematic fit equally.
In the short term, the search outcome will shape staffing decisions (notably the offensive coordinator role) and influence how Cleveland approaches quarterback development in 2026. Fans and analysts should expect interviews with a mix of experienced former head coaches and rising coordinators; the final choice will reflect the front office’s prioritized combination of leadership, scheme and personnel needs.