Grant Udinski Bows Out of Browns’ HC Search, Focuses on Bills Opportunity
The Cleveland Browns’ head coaching search just got a little narrower. Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has officially pulled his name from consideration for the job, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Udinski remains in the mix for the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching vacancy, and if that doesn’t pan out, he’s expected to return to Jacksonville as OC.
Udinski becomes the third candidate to exit the Browns' process, joining Mike McDaniel and Jesse Minter. Minter has since taken the reins in Baltimore as the Ravens’ new head coach, while McDaniel is heading west to become the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive coordinator.
The Browns have taken a unique approach to their search, reportedly requiring candidates to complete an extensive evaluation process - think questionnaires, multi-part essays, personality testing, and additional assignments. It’s a thorough, data-heavy method that’s turning heads around the league.
Cleveland’s front office is currently in Los Angeles, where they’re set to meet with Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase. There’s growing buzz around Scheelhaase, and some believe he’s emerging as the favorite. Longtime Browns insider Tony Grossi speculated that Udinski may have stepped aside because he believes Scheelhaase is poised to land the job.
Interestingly, the Pittsburgh Steelers were also interested in Scheelhaase and conducted a virtual interview with him during their own coaching search. Ultimately, they went in a different direction, hiring Mike McCarthy as their new head coach on Saturday. League rules prevented Scheelhaase from doing an in-person interview until after the NFC Championship Game, which may have factored into Pittsburgh's timeline.
Udinski, just 30 years old, wrapped up his first season as Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator. Working alongside head coach Liam Coen, he helped guide a noticeable offensive turnaround - particularly in the play of former No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence. While Coen handled the play-calling duties, Udinski’s role in the offensive resurgence didn’t go unnoticed.
A Pennsylvania native with a gritty backstory - including a stint living out of his car while serving as a graduate assistant at Baylor - Udinski has quickly built a reputation as one of the league’s most intriguing young coaching prospects. But with limited experience and a supporting role in Jacksonville’s offensive success, he’s seen as a high-upside, high-risk candidate.
Despite stepping away from the Browns’ search, Udinski had gained real traction in Cleveland. He was expected to receive a second interview alongside two other notable names: Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and Ravens OC Todd Monken.
As for Scheelhaase, he’s finishing up his second stint on Sean McVay’s Rams coaching staff. He was actually the first coach the Steelers requested to interview when they began their search. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, Scheelhaase left a strong impression during his virtual interview - so much so that he reportedly gave off “Mike Tomlin vibes.”
“I’m not going to say he’s the top guy because some of these candidates still have to interview in person with (Art Rooney II), and he’s the one who will make the call,” Dulac noted in his weekly Q&A. “But I will say Scheelhaase was an impressive interview, which fits with what other NFL people think of him. Hmmm, so was Tomlin…”
Should Scheelhaase land a head coaching job, he’d join a growing list of McVay disciples to take the leap - a group that already includes Zac Taylor, Matt LaFleur, Kevin O’Connell, and Liam Coen.
For now, the Browns’ search continues, but the field is narrowing. And with names like Scheelhaase, Schwartz, and Monken still in the mix, the next move could shape not only Cleveland’s future - but the AFC North landscape as a whole.