Cleveland Browns: Search down to 3 finalists, McDaniels ‘Really wants it’
In Cleveland Browns rumors, the coaching search is down to three candidates, while Josh McDaniels could reportedly lock up the gig by tonight.
The Cleveland Browns interviewed Josh McDaniels earlier today, as for the first time in this process, the orange helmets are the ones generating buzz.
Owner Jimmy Haslam reportedly sent his private plane to pick up McDaniels to return him to his home of northeast Ohio. McDaniels wife made the trip. Odell Beckham Jr. was apparently in the building.
This has to be it, right?
The Browns hope to make a hire tonight or tomorrow, according to the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin. The process is down to McDaniels, Kevin Stefanski and Brian Daboll, according to The Globe’s senior NFL writer.
In a tv hit for NFL Network, Ian Rapoport made it seem like it McDaniels and the Browns could close by this evening.
"“He really wants it. This is home town team and it’s been a dream for him…from what I understand, Josh McDaniels does have a chance to nail this down in Cleveland."
This is the third time McDaniels has interviewed for the job, failing to get it on his first try, and then pulling out back in 2014 (Mike Pettine was hired).
If McDaniels gets the gig, there will be plenty of questions regarding the status of chief strategy officer, Paul DePodesta. Stefanski was his pick last year, and to turn deaf ears to the analytics guru again may mean he’s destined to move on.
It’s been reported that while DePodesta will have a prominent voice in the search, Haslam won’t have any problem going against his advice if it means getting the guys he wants (McDaniels).
A nugget worth knowing: I’ve seen rumors that personnel man Dave Ziegler is more likely to join McDaniels in the front office, rather than Nick Caserio. Like McDaniels, Ziegler attended John Carroll where was an All-American punt returner and kick returner.
Next. 3 Browns whose roster spots could be in jeopardy because of analytics. dark
Parting shot: Whomever gets the gig will be the 18th non-interim coach to lead the sidelines, and the 10th since the Browns were reborn in 1999.