Cleveland Browns rumors: Analytics duo trending up for coach, GM hires

Don’t be surprised if the Cleveland Browns search for a coach and general manager results in Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry.

If you’re getting the sense that the Cleveland Browns will make a significant return to analytics in their search of a new coach and general manager, you’re probably not wrong.

Following Jimmy Haslam’s press conference Jan. 2, it sounds like the Browns are ready to return to decisions heavily dictated by date.

With this in mind, TheLandonDemand’s Tony Grossi wrote the hiring of Kevin Stefanski as coach, and Andrew Berry as GM seems “Inevitable.”

The duo was one of the combinations recently listed here, as was the tandem of of Eliot Wolf and Mike McCarthy. The later was interviewed for the coaching job, but Haslam said Wolf won’t be considered because the next GM will come from outside the organization.

As for Stefanski and Berry, the Browns would be brining in two men who don’t boast strong public personalities. Stefanski would seemingly take on the coaching role while staying in his lane, while Berry would do his thing, putting together the 53-man roster.

Berry would be a tough sell to the fan base, because he held a prominent role in the front office during the 1-31 years. That said, he’s made a name for himself outside of Cleveland and has become a desired GM candidate while employed by the Eagles.

You might be asking: What about Josh McDaniels? The idea of the northeast Ohio native returning home seems to become less and less feasible by the day. With that said, he’s scheduled to interview with the Browns Jan. 10.

"“I wouldn’t be surprised if Josh McDaniels pulled out of the Browns coaching search before they make a decision. He’ll probably go through with his interview just to verify for himself the stuff he’s heard,” Grossi wrote."

Following Haslams’ presser, Yahoo’s Charles Robinson corroborated what’s been written here regarding the unlikeness McDaniels get the job. Robinson tweeted his belief that McDaniels would want to join an organization in which he doesn’t have the final say over the 53-man roster. He added that DePodesta collaborating with ownership wouldn’t make for his preferred landing spot.

Dee Haslam, in particular, is rumored to favor McDaniels. If McDaniels won’t take the job because of the team’s structure, will ownership do something rash. We all know that’s never happened, before (sarcasm).

It seems like other other coaches mentioned in the coaching search still find themselves in play for the job, because they’re in a position career wise where they’d have to agree to the team’s organizational structure if they want to be a coach here.

While the Browns job seems like a bad gig, it’s still one of 32 and there is talent on the roster. Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Odell Beckham, Myles Garrett…everyone thought this team would make the playoffs.

Bad coaching got in the way and the season was a failure. But you better believe the next coach believes he can win. It’s the NFL. Every coach comes with a playbook and an ego the size of the Factory of Sadness.