Grant Udinski Withdraws from Browns’ Coaching Search, Focus Shifts to Nate Scheelhaase
The Cleveland Browns’ search for a new head coach just got a little narrower. Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has officially withdrawn his name from consideration for the job, choosing instead to stay in the mix for the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching vacancy. If things don’t pan out in Buffalo, Udinski is expected to return to Jacksonville and resume his role as OC.
Udinski becomes the third coach to bow out of Cleveland’s process, joining Mike McDaniel and Jesse Minter. Minter has since landed the head coaching job with the Baltimore Ravens, while McDaniel is taking over as the new offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Cleveland’s approach to this coaching search has raised some eyebrows around the league. The Browns are reportedly leaning heavily on a data-driven process, requiring candidates to complete a rigorous evaluation that includes questionnaires, multi-part essays, personality assessments, and additional prep work. It’s a unique strategy, one that’s clearly not for everyone.
The Browns’ front office was in Los Angeles on Monday to meet with Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, who’s emerging as a serious contender for the job. According to longtime Browns insider Tony Grossi, Udinski may have stepped aside after getting the sense that Scheelhaase is the frontrunner.
Scheelhaase, 35, has been turning heads across the league. He just wrapped up his second stint on Sean McVay’s staff in Los Angeles and was actually the first coach the Pittsburgh Steelers requested to interview when they began their own head coaching search.
The Steelers ultimately hired Mike McCarthy on Saturday, but not before conducting a virtual interview with Scheelhaase. Due to league rules, he wasn't eligible for an in-person interview until after the Rams’ NFC Championship Game appearance.
Scheelhaase made a strong impression during his virtual sit-down with Pittsburgh. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, Scheelhaase gave off “Mike Tomlin vibes” - high praise in Steelers country. While Dulac stopped short of calling him the top candidate, he noted that Scheelhaase left a strong impression, echoing sentiments from others around the league.
If Scheelhaase does land the Browns job, he’ll be the latest branch off the McVay coaching tree, joining a growing list that includes Zac Taylor, Matt LaFleur, Kevin O’Connell, and Liam Coen - all of whom have gone on to lead their own teams.
As for Udinski, his coaching stock remains high despite his limited experience. At just 30 years old, he helped orchestrate a turnaround season for the Jaguars alongside head coach Liam Coen, reviving the offense and unlocking another level from former No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence. While Coen handled play-calling duties, Udinski’s role in the offensive game planning didn’t go unnoticed.
His coaching journey is the stuff of football folklore - a Pennsylvania native who once lived out of his car while grinding through a season as a graduate assistant at Baylor. That kind of determination doesn’t go unnoticed in NFL circles. But with only one year as a coordinator under his belt, and limited play-calling experience, Udinski remains one of the most intriguing boom-or-bust candidates on the coaching carousel.
Despite his withdrawal from the Browns’ search, Udinski was reportedly in line for a second interview, alongside Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Whether he resurfaces elsewhere this cycle or returns to Jacksonville, his name is one to watch in the coming years.
For now, all eyes in Cleveland are on Nate Scheelhaase - a rising star with momentum and pedigree, and possibly the next name to take the reins of one of the NFL’s most data-driven franchises.