Cleveland Browns 2026 Coaching Search Tracker: Every candidate connected to the job to replace Kevin Stefanski
A look at the names being connected to the open job with the Cleveland Browns.
The search is underway to find the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns after the team moved on from Kevin Stefanski following six years.
Cleveland went 5-12 in 2025 and hasn’t made the playoffs for the last two seasons. The Browns offer an elite defense, some promising young players — but the biggest hole is at quarterback with Deshaun Watson on the roster too.
Time hasn’t been wasted since the Browns fired Stefanski, and they’ve already been connected to multiple names.
Coaches the Browns will interview or have requested to
Ravens OC Todd Monken
The first name connected to the Browns was Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. This request to interview him came just before the Ravens fired John Harbaugh — so it’s possible that Monken isn’t back with the Ravens next year either. Monken was the offensive coordinator in 2019 with the Browns before he helped Georgia win two national championships as their play caller.
Seahawks DC Aden Durde
Cleveland’s second request went to the defensive coordinator in Seattle who is quickly rising up the ranks. Durde is an England native who started as an intern with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014. By 2020, Durde was the outside linebackers coach for the Atlanta Falcons — then spent 2021-2023 as the defensive line coach for the Cowboys. Durde is 46 and has been the DC under Mike Macdonald since 2024.
Bengals OC Dan Pitcher
Cleveland has hired an offensive coordinator before as we all remember Hue Jackson. The Browns have requested to interview Pitcher now — and he’s been the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati since 2024. Pitcher has come up with the Bengals where he started as the offensive assistant in 2016. Pitcher is a 38-year-old New York native who is regarded as a very smart mind, not just when it comes to offense. A psychology major and Colgate graduate.
Chargers DC Jesse Minter
Minter has been the Chargers’ defensive coordinator the last couple of seasons — and he’s one of the top up-and-coming assistant coaches in the game. Minter won a national championship with the Michigan Wolverines, then followed Jim Harbaugh to Los Angeles.
Former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel
The Browns will interview recently fired Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel — and he’s a former Browns assistant. McDaniel coached wide receivers in 2024 and has since become one of the more well regarded offensive minds in football. McDaniel spent four seasons as the head coach of the Dolphins.
Rams pass-game coord. Nate Scheelhaase
The first non-coordinator that the Browns have shown interest in comes from the Sean McVay-led Rams. Scheelhaase is just 35 but one of the more well regarded offensive minds through the McVay coaching tree. Scheelehaase has had rave reviews in his two years with Los Angeles.
Jaguars OC Grant Udinski
The Browns are the first team to request to interview the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive coordinator — who is just 30 years old. Udinski is one of the more brilliant, young offensive minds in the NFL. Udinski got his start as a coaching assistant in 2020 with the Carolina Panthers. By 2023, Udinski was the assistant quarterback coach for the Minnesota Vikings. He’s been the OC for Liam Coen in Jacksonville for one season.
DC Jim Schwartz
Schwartz is under contract for the 2026 season, so he may be brought back no matter what. The Browns will interview Schwartz on Thursday — and that’s the right move to make. Schwartz has had the best defense in the NFL since he joined in 2024 and is a former head coach of the Detroit Lions. Schwartz’s time with the Lions didn’t go great from 2009-2013, but it’s possible he’s ready for another chance. One of the best defensive minds in the game.
OC Tommy Rees
Cleveland will interview its offensive coordinator on Thursday as well, in a move that isn’t surprising. Rees is one of the up-and-coming offensive minds and received major interest at the college level to be a head coach recently. Rees took over the play-calling this season from Stefanski and has been the OC in Cleveland the past two seasons.
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Cleveland Browns’ potential head coaching candidates after the decision to fire Kevin Stefanski following 2025 season
Looking at the possibilities for Cleveland’s next head coach after Kevin Stefanski was fired on Monday.
