The Cleveland Browns are knee-deep in a head coaching search that’s starting to feel more like a cautionary tale than a strategic reset. And while Bengals fans might recognize some familiar beats from their own not-so-distant past, there’s no denying that Cleveland’s current coaching carousel has taken on a life of its own - and not in a good way.
Browns Part Ways With Stefanski - and Stability
Let’s start with the move that set this all in motion. Cleveland parted ways with Kevin Stefanski, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year who had posted a winning percentage comparable to Zac Taylor’s in Cincinnati.
That’s no small decision. Stefanski wasn’t perfect, but he brought a level of consistency the Browns haven’t seen often in the modern era.
Now he’s off to Atlanta, and Cleveland is left trying to explain why they let go of a coach most teams would’ve been happy to keep.
A Search Defined by Withdrawals
Since then, the Browns' coaching search has been anything but smooth. Several candidates have reportedly pulled their names from consideration, including Mike McDaniel, Jesse Minter, and Greg Udinski.
That’s not just a coincidence - it’s a trend. And it’s raising eyebrows around the league.
Part of the issue appears to be Cleveland’s interview process. Reports suggest that prospective coaches are being turned off by personality tests and a lack of autonomy in assembling their own staffs.
That last part is key - the idea that the incoming head coach wouldn’t have full control over his assistants is a major red flag for top-tier candidates. In a league where culture and cohesion are everything, handcuffing your head coach before he even takes the job is a tough sell.
Nate Scheelhaase: A Glimmer of Hope?
The Browns recently completed an interview with Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, a rising name in coaching circles. But even that silver lining comes with a cloud. Scheelhaase is also in the mix for the Bills’ head coaching job, and given the current state of things in Cleveland, it wouldn’t be a shock if he chose Buffalo over the Browns - if that’s even an option.
Whether it’s the testing, the staffing restrictions, or just better opportunities elsewhere, something is clearly pushing candidates away from what should be one of the most coveted jobs in football. Say what you will about Cleveland’s history, but this roster has talent. The problem is, nobody seems eager to take the wheel.
Bengals Flashbacks: The 2019 DC Search
For Bengals fans, this all feels eerily familiar. Back in 2019, Zac Taylor was fresh off his hiring and looking to bring in a defensive coordinator.
The search dragged on for weeks, with names like Todd Grantham, Dom Capers, Vance Joseph, and Jack Del Rio all reportedly turning down the job. It wasn’t until Lou Anarumo stepped in - after what felt like an eternity - that the Bengals finally filled the role.
That hire ended up working out just fine. Anarumo helped lead Cincinnati to a Super Bowl appearance in 2021 and back-to-back AFC Championship Games.
Of course, things eventually soured, and the Bengals parted ways with him after the 2024 season. Still, the point remains: sometimes the right coach isn’t Plan A, B, or even C - but you’ve got to land someone who fits.
Could Jim Schwartz Be the Answer - or Just the Default?
With external candidates backing away, the Browns may be pivoting to an in-house solution. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is reportedly under serious consideration for the head coaching role, largely because ownership wants to keep him on staff regardless of who gets the top job.
But here’s the catch: that very insistence might be the reason so many candidates have walked away. Most head coaches want - and frankly, need - the freedom to build their own staff. If Schwartz is being forced on them, it’s no wonder they’re looking elsewhere.
Now, Schwartz himself is no lightweight. He’s a former head coach with a Super Bowl ring as a defensive coordinator.
But promoting from within - especially under these circumstances - doesn’t always inspire confidence. Just ask Browns fans how the Freddie Kitchens experiment turned out.
The Fanbase Is Skeptical - and the AFC North Is Watching
If Schwartz gets the nod, don’t expect a warm reception from the Dawg Pound. Fans have seen this movie before, and it rarely ends well. From Kitchens to other short-lived internal promotions around the league, the track record is shaky at best.
Meanwhile, Bengals fans are watching all of this unfold with a mix of amusement and déjà vu. They’ve been here before - the slow, frustrating search, the perception that nobody wants the job, the eventual pivot to a candidate who wasn’t on the original shortlist. But while Cincinnati eventually found its footing, there’s no guarantee Cleveland will do the same.
Battle of Ohio: Advantage Cincinnati?
In the end, the Browns will make a hire. They have to.
Whether it’s Schwartz or someone else, a new head coach will take the reins in Cleveland. But the process itself - the withdrawals, the reported dysfunction, the lack of clarity - has already done damage.
And in a division as competitive as the AFC North, every misstep matters. The Bengals aren’t just watching - they’re hoping that whoever ends up in charge in Cleveland adds a few more wins to Cincinnati’s side of the Battle of Ohio. Because in this league, rivalries aren’t just about what happens on the field - they’re about who’s best equipped to navigate the chaos off it.
Right now, the Browns are still searching for that answer.