The Cleveland Browns are in the middle of a head coaching search, but instead of zeroing in on their next leader with clarity and confidence, they’ve turned the process into something that looks more like a college admissions exam than an NFL hiring cycle. And it’s costing them - literally. Three candidates have already pulled out of consideration, and the optics aren’t great for a franchise that desperately needs stability.
Let’s rewind a bit. When the Browns hired Kevin Stefanski a few years ago, it felt like a move rooted in common sense.
Stefanski was young, respected, and brought a sharp offensive mind to a franchise that needed direction. Nothing about that hire felt out of place.
It was a professional, well-executed search that landed a solid candidate.
Fast forward to this cycle, and things couldn’t feel more different. According to reports, Cleveland’s approach this time around is, well, unconventional.
Candidates are being asked to take personality assessments, write essays, and leave interviews with homework assignments. Yes, actual homework.
It’s the kind of process that might make sense in a Silicon Valley startup, but in the NFL coaching world-where relationships, leadership, and football IQ reign-it’s raising eyebrows.
And the response from candidates has been telling. Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski is the latest to withdraw his name from consideration, joining a growing list of coaches who’ve decided the Browns’ process just isn’t worth the headache.
These aren’t coaches desperate for a job; they’re already in comfortable, respected positions. If you’re going to lure them out, it’s got to be with vision, respect, and a clear plan-not a pop quiz.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears-yes, the same Bears who’ve fumbled more than their fair share of coaching hires over the past decade-have quietly become a case study in how to do this the right way. Their pursuit of Ben Johnson was focused and direct.
They did their homework, identified the top candidate, and didn’t overthink it. Johnson was the guy, and they made sure he knew it.
Big contract, personnel influence, and a clear runway to lead. He took the job and promptly led them to the playoffs.
That’s the kind of decisiveness teams crave. In contrast, Cleveland’s process feels like it’s being run by a committee trying to outsmart itself.
The Browns are a data-driven organization, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Analytics have a place in football, especially when it comes to roster building and in-game decisions.
But when it comes to hiring a head coach-someone who needs to command a locker room, build a staff, and navigate the chaos of an NFL season-overloading the process with academic-style evaluations risks missing what really matters: leadership, vision, and fit.
Eventually, the Browns will find someone willing to take the job. They always do. But if the current trend continues, it’s fair to wonder whether they’ll end up with a candidate who sees the job as a destination-or just someone who was willing to jump through hoops for a shot at the title.
In a league where coaching hires can make or break a franchise’s next five years, Cleveland’s process is drawing more questions than answers. And unless something changes soon, they may find themselves on the outside looking in-again-while other teams move forward with clarity and purpose.