The Browns’ coaching search hit a snag Tuesday.
Mike McDaniel withdrew from consideration, a league source confirmed to The Chronicle-Telegram. He was one of six candidates scheduled to interview a second time, with his meeting set for Wednesday. He informed the Browns he’s no longer interested.
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Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz kicked off the second round of interviews Monday, and Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken followed Tuesday. Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter on Thursday, Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski on Friday and Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase are next in line. Scheelhaase can’t interview until at least Monday because the Rams play in the NFC title game Sunday against the Seahawks.
McDaniel, 42, had been an intriguing possibility. He and Schwartz were the only candidates with previous NFL head coaching experience.
McDaniel was fired by the Dolphins on Jan. 8 following four seasons. He went 35-33 with a pair of playoff appearances but no postseason wins.
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He’s considered a top offensive mind, and the Dolphins had the NFL’s No. 1 offense and passing offense in 2023. He was a candidate for the coaching jobs in Baltimore and Las Vegas, but is expected to take the coordinator job with the Chargers, according to multiple reports Tuesday night.
Removing himself from consideration in Cleveland could be a statement on the desirability of the job. The Browns have uncertainty at quarterback and need an overhaul of the offensive line as well as an influx of talent at receiver.
With 10 coaching jobs having been open in this cycle — six remain unfilled — the top targets have options.
Monken, 59, spent 2019 with the Browns as the offensive coordinator under one-and-done coach Freddie Kitchens. Monken went on to win back-to-back national championships as coordinator at the University of Georgia and held the same role with the Ravens the last three years. Baltimore had the league’s No. 1 offense in 2024.
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Monken’s head coaching experience came with Southern Mississippi from 2013-15. He took over a bad program, went 1-11 in his first season and 9-5 in his final year.
The Browns must satisfy the Rooney Rule before they can make a hire. NFL teams are required to interview two external diverse candidates in person.
