Inside the Browns' Coaching Search: Data, Essays, and a Whole Lot of Questions
The Cleveland Browns are no strangers to unconventional approaches, but their latest head coaching search has taken things to a whole new level. According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, who spoke with Rich Eisen on Friday, the Browns have leaned heavily into their identity as a “data-driven operation” - and that’s putting it mildly.
Let’s break down what that actually means.
We're not just talking about analytics on fourth-down decisions or player efficiency ratings. No, Cleveland is going full Ivy League admissions mode. Coaching candidates are reportedly being asked to take personality tests, write essays, and complete homework assignments - and that’s just to get through the first and second rounds of interviews.
Yes, you read that right. Homework. For a head coaching job in the NFL.
Pelissero noted that the process seems tailored toward a very specific kind of candidate - “very, very smart people,” as he put it, often with Ivy League backgrounds. The implication? The Browns are looking for the next football mind who can crunch numbers, manage personalities, and maybe even write a compelling thesis on zone coverage.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with being thorough in a coaching search. Due diligence is part of the game. But when your franchise has made just four playoff appearances in the last 30 seasons, there’s a fine line between being meticulous and just overcomplicating things.
And that’s where the frustration comes in - not just for fans, but potentially for candidates too.
Take Todd Monken, for example. The Georgia offensive coordinator and former NFL play-caller has already been through two rounds of interviews with the Browns.
If he’s still in the mix, you have to assume his essay made the short list. But it raises a bigger question: how many top-tier candidates are willing to go through a multi-step application process that feels more like applying to grad school than interviewing for an NFL job?
That might help explain why some notable names, like Jesse Minter and Mike McDaniel, have reportedly withdrawn from consideration. When the process becomes the story, it can be a red flag - especially for coaches who already have options elsewhere or who aren’t sold on the idea of jumping through hoops just to land in Cleveland.
Meanwhile, the Browns’ front office is sticking to its data-first philosophy, hoping that this exhaustive process will yield the right leader to finally bring stability to the franchise. And to be fair, there’s a method to the madness - at least in theory.
This isn’t just about football IQ or leadership skills. It’s about finding someone who aligns with the organization’s long-term vision, who understands the culture they're trying to build, and who can handle the pressure of coaching in a city where expectations are sky-high despite decades of disappointment.
But here’s the rub: football is still a results-driven business. And while personality tests and essays might reveal something about a candidate’s mindset, they don’t guarantee wins on Sundays.
So where does this leave the Browns?
Somewhere between innovation and overthinking. If they land a coach who fits the mold and turns things around, they’ll be praised for their forward-thinking approach. But if this becomes yet another swing-and-miss, it’ll only add to the narrative that Cleveland can’t get out of its own way.
As for the Giants - yes, they’ve had their own share of missteps in recent years. Letting Saquon Barkley walk without compensation, the Daniel Jones contract, and a rough 7-27 stretch over the last two seasons have all raised eyebrows. But even with those struggles, the Browns’ current process feels like a masterclass in making things harder than they need to be.
At the end of the day, the Browns don’t need a perfect essay. They need a coach who can win.
Whether their data-driven deep dive leads them to that person remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: if you’re applying to be Cleveland’s next head coach, you better bring your No. 2 pencil - and maybe a few extra sheets of paper.