The Cleveland Browns are turning the page once again, this time handing the reins to Todd Monken as their new head coach. Monken, a seasoned offensive mind with a long résumé, steps into the role after three productive seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.
Browns fans might remember his previous stint in Cleveland - he served as the team’s offensive coordinator back in 2019. Now, at 59, he returns with more experience, a sharper playbook, and a shot at steering the franchise in a new direction.
Monken becomes the 19th full-time head coach in Browns history - and when you include interim coaches, he’s the 23rd man to hold the title. In the post-1999 expansion era alone, he’s the 13th head coach, a number that speaks volumes about the franchise’s search for stability over the last two and a half decades.
To understand just how winding the Browns’ coaching road has been, it’s worth taking a look at the lineage of full-time head coaches - from the franchise’s storied beginnings through its modern-day reboot.
Original Franchise (1946-1995)
- Paul Brown (1946): The founding father of the franchise, Brown came in from coaching at Great Lakes Naval Station and built a dynasty from scratch.
- Blanton Collier (1963): Promoted from within, Collier had been the team’s offensive backfield coach before taking over.
- Nick Skorich (1971): Another internal hire, Skorich stepped up from offensive coordinator.
- Forrest Gregg (1975): Yet another in-house promotion, Gregg had been the Browns’ defensive line coach.
- Sam Rutigliano (1978): Brought in from the New Orleans Saints, where he coached wide receivers.
- Marty Schottenheimer (1984): Took over after serving as the team’s defensive coordinator and interim head coach.
- Bud Carson (1989): Hired from the New York Jets, where he was the defensive coordinator.
- Bill Belichick (1991): Arrived with a strong résumé as the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator - a name that, in hindsight, looms large.
Expansion Era (1999-Present)
- Chris Palmer (1999): Came in as the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator to help relaunch the franchise.
- Butch Davis (2001): Made the jump from college, where he led the University of Miami.
- Romeo Crennel (2005): A key figure in New England’s early dynasty, he was their defensive coordinator before coming to Cleveland.
- Eric Mangini (2009): Previously the Jets’ head coach, Mangini was hired shortly after being dismissed in New York.
- Pat Shurmur (2011): Joined from the Rams, where he had been offensive coordinator.
- Rob Chudzinski (2013): Another offensive coordinator hire, this time from the Panthers.
- Mike Pettine (2014): Known for his defensive chops, Pettine came from the Bills’ coordinator role.
- Hue Jackson (2016): Hired after coordinating the Bengals’ offense.
- Freddie Kitchens (2019): A rapid riser within the Browns’ own staff, Kitchens was the running backs coach before taking over play-calling duties and eventually the head job.
- Kevin Stefanski (2020): Arrived with a strong offensive reputation from Minnesota, where he served as the Vikings’ coordinator.
- Todd Monken (2026): Now the latest to take the helm, fresh off coordinating a dynamic Ravens offense.
With Monken, the Browns are betting on continuity of offensive innovation and a coach who’s been around the NFL block - and back. His time in Baltimore showcased his ability to adapt to different quarterback styles and maximize talent, something Cleveland will be counting on as they look to stabilize the franchise and finally break through in the AFC.
The Browns’ coaching carousel has spun often and fast over the years, but with Monken, there’s hope that experience and familiarity can finally bring some much-needed traction.