Going into the 2019-20 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns had more hype than any franchise in the NFL. They had a QB, two number one WR’s, a great rushing attack, and a physical defense that was ready to punch all opponents in the mouth. Unfortunately, they were a complete flop, suffering from massive internal issues, suspensions, and poor coaching. They finished 6-10 and were immediately in search of a new coach. 5 candidates, in no particular order, have come up that I believe could fill the void and return the Browns to prominence.
5. Greg Roman
Although being the offensive coordinator of the rival Baltimore Ravens, Greg Roman has had tremendous success with two different NFL franchises as the offensive coordinator. He worked with Jim Harbaugh and found a formula to make Colin Kaepernick a solid quarterback that led to a San Francisco NFC Championship and near Super Bowl victory in 2012. He then turned Lamar Jackson into the NFL MVP for the 2019 season, despite massive criticism that Jackson would be an average quarterback. Lance Zierlein of NFL Network gave Jackson a grade of 5.91 at the NFL Combine, meaning that he would be a 50/50 NFL Player. Roman took this average, 50/50 quarterback, and turned him into a generational talent that has never been seen before. Now, despite only being successful with mobile quarterbacks, Roman brings 14 years of coaching experience in the NFL and could whip the Browns into shape.
4. Mike Singletary
Yes, the Hall of Fame Linebacker and former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers should be considered for the position. This man has been working to get back in the game for many years and has done nothing but study and enhance his knowledge of all aspects of the modern NFL team. He also is a disciplinarian, something that the Browns are severely lacking in. All of these personalities within Cleveland must be corralled and there are few better at it than Singletary. He is the smartest linebacker and could take the talent of the Browns and unite them into a monster of a team. He would bring 11 years of NFL coaching experience and worked with some greats of the game, such as Vernon Davis and Ray Lewis, turning them into greater players. Who says he couldn’t do it with the Browns?
3. Kevin Stefanski
The offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, Stefanski has had massive experience and helped guide the Vikings offense to two NFC Championship games in his tenure and multiple NFC North Titles. He has had success with many different quarterbacks, running backs, and tight ends ranging from Tavaris Jackson, Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, Kyle Rudolph, Case Keenum, and Kirk Cousins. He has the experience, the pedigree, and can be successful with any position that you tell him to coach, specifically skilled positions. He could make the Browns offense click, which to me, was the major hole in their team this year.
2. Tony Dungy
Now this is a bit of a reach, but just think about it. A Hall of Fame coach that created one of the greatest defenses of all time in Tampa Bay, and then to comeback against the Patriots in the 2006 AFC Championship Game and win Super Bowl XLI with Peyton Manning and establish the Colts as a perennial powerhouse. Not to mention that he was a former player under Chuck Noll in Pittsburgh during the Steel Curtain dynasty of the 1970’s. He brings experience, toughness, energy, and knows the X’s and O’s of all the aspects of football on offense, defense, and special teams.
1. Urban Meyer
One name that has been bounced around the league for many teams is the former Ohio State and University of Florida head coach Urban Meyer. He knows the game, he has plenty of experience, but it is all limited to college. The Browns, however, could use someone that is born and bred in Ohio like Meyer that could create an atmosphere and culture of winning that hasn’t been present in Cleveland since the 1980’s. Meyer has won three National Championships and made many fine NFL players, but does bring some baggage with his past. But, he does have an innate ability to form a team in a short period of time, which is what the Browns are searching for.
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