The Cleveland Browns are deep into their head coaching search, and let’s just say-it’s been anything but smooth. Nearly three weeks after parting ways with Kevin Stefanski, the Browns have found themselves under a microscope, and not always for the right reasons.
From questions about their adherence to the Rooney Rule to reports that candidates are being asked to complete essays and homework assignments, the process has raised more than a few eyebrows. To make matters more complicated, multiple candidates have reportedly declined interview requests altogether.
But amid the chaos, one name keeps rising above the noise: Grant Udinski.
At just 30 years old, Udinski has become one of the hottest names in coaching circles, and there appears to be real momentum between him and the Browns’ front office. It’s not hard to see why.
Udinski’s résumé is short on years but long on impact. Between 2022 and 2024, he climbed the ranks in Minnesota, serving in a variety of offensive roles before becoming assistant offensive coordinator during the Vikings’ impressive 14-3 campaign in 2024.
That success earned him a promotion to Jacksonville, where he took over as offensive coordinator and played a key role in the Jaguars’ stunning turnaround in 2025.
Now, let’s be clear-Udinski hasn’t called plays at the NFL level. In both Minnesota and Jacksonville, that responsibility fell to his bosses: Kevin O’Connell and Liam Coen, respectively.
That’s a valid concern, especially for a franchise that’s been burned before by unproven coaching hires. But what Udinski lacks in play-calling experience, he makes up for in schematic pedigree.
Both O’Connell and Coen come from the Shanahan-McVay coaching tree, which has become the gold standard for offensive innovation in today’s NFL. And if the Browns are looking to tap into that system, Udinski might be their best shot.
One person who’s fully onboard the Udinski train? Mike Pettine.
Yes, that Mike Pettine-the former Browns head coach who knows firsthand how tough it is to win in Cleveland. Pettine worked with Udinski in Minnesota and had nothing but praise for the young offensive mind during a recent appearance on the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show.
“He was really a huge part of our offensive success in Minnesota,” Pettine said. “And justifiably so, got a bunch of OC interviews and got the job at Jacksonville, did a great job there.
So it’s not a surprise to me. People are going to look at his youth, but there’s other comparisons of guys that young.
When it comes to identifying coaches, there’s no one thing. To me, it’s an ‘it’ factor, and Grant has it.”
That’s not just a former colleague tossing out compliments for a friend. Pettine made it clear he doesn’t hand out praise lightly.
In the same interview, he openly criticized Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores, admitting he had to shift to the offensive side of the ball because of their working relationship. So when Pettine says Udinski has “it,” it carries weight.
Sure, skepticism is part of the deal when you’re talking about a 30-year-old head coaching candidate. But it’s worth remembering how the football world reacted when the Rams hired a then-31-year-old Sean McVay back in 2017. That move was met with plenty of doubt, too-until McVay led the Rams to two Super Bowl appearances, winning one and potentially eyeing another.
The Browns aren’t just looking for a coach-they’re looking for a culture shift, a leader who can stabilize a franchise that’s been anything but steady. If Udinski can bring even a fraction of the success McVay brought to Los Angeles, the city of Cleveland might just start planning for a statue outside the new stadium.
And after years of coaching turnover and unmet expectations, Browns fans would welcome that kind of change with open arms.