The Cleveland Browns are deep into their head coaching search, and while they’re already entering a second round of interviews, there’s a key procedural hurdle still in play - the Rooney Rule.
Firing Kevin Stefanski, a two-time Coach of the Year, was a bold move that raised eyebrows around the league. Stefanski helped stabilize a franchise long known for its instability, so moving on from him signals that the Browns are chasing more than just consistency - they’re looking for a coach who can take them from playoff hopeful to legitimate Super Bowl contender.
But before they can make that hire, there’s a league-mandated box they still need to check. According to NFL policy, every team must conduct at least two in-person interviews with external minority candidates for head coaching or general manager openings. The Browns haven’t done that yet.
So far, Cleveland's first round of interviews was entirely virtual. That’s where Mike McDaniel enters the picture.
McDaniel, whose father is Black, has already interviewed with the team and is reportedly set for a second, in-person meeting in Berea. That would count as one of the two required interviews under the Rooney Rule - but only one.
Until they bring in another minority candidate for an in-person interview, the Browns can’t officially move forward with a hire.
It’s worth noting that while teams have been known to reach handshake deals behind the scenes, the NFL is under a much brighter spotlight now when it comes to hiring practices. The Brian Flores lawsuit is still fresh in the minds of team owners and league officials.
That case exposed how some organizations treated the Rooney Rule as a formality rather than a meaningful step toward diversity. In today’s climate, teams are being much more cautious - and rightly so.
That puts the Browns in a bit of a bind. They’re trying to be thorough - and that’s commendable - but they’re also racing the clock. Multiple teams are in the market for new head coaches, and the longer Cleveland waits, the greater the risk that one of their top candidates gets scooped up elsewhere.
One name drawing recent buzz is Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski. While it’s unclear how far along any talks are with him, his name surfacing at this stage of the process suggests the Browns are keeping their options wide open.
Bottom line: Cleveland is doing its due diligence, but the clock is ticking. They need to satisfy the Rooney Rule before they can make a move, and in a competitive coaching market, every day counts.