Browns Coaching Search: McDaniel Out, What’s Next?

Browns Coaching Search Takes Twist: Mike McDaniel Withdraws Name from Consideration

the Cleveland Browns’ search for a new head coach encountered a significant shift on tuesday, as former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has withdrawn his name from contention, according to NFL Media. McDaniel informed the Browns of his decision prior to a scheduled meeting on Wednesday, signaling his focus is elsewhere as several teams seek offensive leadership.

McDaniel was reportedly slated to interview for the offensive coordinator position with the los Angeles Chargers,following their recent dismissal of Greg Roman after a 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Wild Card round. However, he remains a candidate for head coaching vacancies with both the Baltimore Ravens and the Las Vegas Raiders, suggesting a preference for leading a team rather then coordinating an offense.

With McDaniel no longer in the mix, the Browns are pressing forward with their evaluation process. The team has already completed second interviews with a diverse group of candidates, including defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, and Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.

Did you know?– Mike McDaniel’s initial success in Miami came after a successful run as the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator, where he helped develop a potent rushing attack.

McDaniel, 42, established himself as a rising star in the NFL after a successful stint as the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator before taking the helm in Miami in 2022. While he initially achieved success with the Dolphins, leading them to consecutive playoff appearances, the team’s performance declined over the past two seasons, finishing with a combined 15-19 record.Throughout his four seasons with Miami,McDaniel compiled a 35-33 regular season record and a 0-2 mark in the playoffs.

Pro tip– NFL coaching searches are fluid. Candidates often explore multiple opportunities simultaneously, and a team’s timeline can shift rapidly based on availability.

The coaching landscape remains competitive, with Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula also garnering interest from both the Ravens and the Raiders, further complicating the Browns’ search for their next sideline leader. The Browns will undoubtedly continue their thorough evaluation of the remaining candidates as thay aim to identify the individual best suited to guide the franchise forward.