The Cleveland Browns’ head coaching search is heating up, and the latest development adds another intriguing name to the mix: former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is set for a second interview with the team this Wednesday. McDaniel initially met with the Browns on January 12, and now he’s getting the all-important in-person follow-up-a clear sign that Cleveland is seriously considering him for the job.
This second interview with McDaniel also carries procedural weight. Under the NFL’s Rooney Rule, teams are required to conduct in-person interviews with minority candidates as part of the hiring process. Bringing McDaniel in for a face-to-face meeting checks one of those boxes, signaling that the Browns are not only doing their due diligence but also adhering to league hiring protocols.
McDaniel joins a growing list of candidates who’ve reached the second-interview stage. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski have all been brought back for further discussions. It’s clear the Browns are casting a wide net, looking at a mix of experienced coordinators and younger, up-and-coming minds.
But don’t mistake the volume of interviews for indecision. The Browns are playing this smart.
They’re not rushing into a hire, especially with some of their targets still coaching in the playoffs. Coordinators from playoff teams like the Seahawks and Rams remain on their radar, but those interviews will have to wait until those teams are eliminated.
Meanwhile, the coaching carousel continues to spin around the league. With John Harbaugh landing in New York with the Giants and Kevin Stefanski heading to Atlanta to coach the Falcons, the number of open jobs is shrinking. That puts a little more pressure on teams like the Browns to move decisively-but not prematurely.
As the search narrows, McDaniel’s second interview becomes one to watch. His offensive creativity and leadership experience in Miami make him a compelling candidate, especially for a team looking to take the next step. The Browns are doing their homework, and Wednesday’s meeting could be a pivotal moment in determining the direction of the franchise’s future.