The Cleveland Browns are starting to shape Todd Monken’s coaching staff, and the early moves suggest a clear direction: familiarity, continuity, and a strong Baltimore connection. While the defensive side of the ball remains a question mark - Jim Schwartz could still stick around as defensive coordinator - the offensive staff is already beginning to take form, and it’s looking a lot like a reunion tour.
Since Monken took the reins as head coach last week, there’s been a steady stream of former Baltimore Ravens coaches making their way to Cleveland. And now, there’s another name to add to that list: Ian Kolste.
Kolste, who served under Monken with the Ravens, is expected to join the Browns as an Offensive Quality Control coach. While that title might fly under the radar for some fans, it’s a key role in any NFL coaching staff - especially for a team looking to implement a new offensive identity.
Quality control coaches are often the behind-the-scenes strategists, breaking down film, analyzing tendencies, and helping translate the playbook into executable game plans. In other words, they’re the connective tissue between the vision of the offensive coordinator and the execution on the field.
Kolste’s path to the NFL is a story in itself. A standout quarterback at Whitworth University, he rewrote the school’s record books during his college career.
The 2017 Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Kolste left Whitworth as the all-time leader in just about every major passing category - total offense, passing yards, touchdowns, completions, attempts - you name it, he owned it. His 26-6 record as a starter speaks to his ability to lead, and that leadership now transitions into the coaching realm.
What’s particularly interesting here is the broader trend. Monken isn’t just building a staff - he’s building his staff, one that understands his system, his language, and his expectations.
That’s no small thing. Coaching transitions can be rocky, especially when philosophies clash.
But by bringing in coaches he’s worked with before, Monken is laying the groundwork for a smoother install of his offensive system.
And let’s not overlook the Ravens connection. Baltimore has been one of the more consistently successful franchises in the league, especially on the offensive side in recent years.
Now, pieces of that staff are heading to Cleveland - not to follow John Harbaugh, who’s now with the New York Giants, but to join Monken. That says something about the relationships Monken built during his time in Baltimore, and the belief his former colleagues have in his vision moving forward.
The Browns haven’t made everything official just yet - that’s likely still a few weeks away - but the direction is becoming clear. With Monken at the helm and a familiar cast of coaches joining him, Cleveland is doubling down on offensive cohesion and a shared philosophy. For a team that’s been searching for stability and consistency, especially on offense, this could be a promising step in the right direction.