Why Mike McDaniel just abruptly quit Browns coaching search originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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In a move that certainly sent a shock through the Cleveland front office, offensive mastermind Mike McDaniel has officially hit the “eject” button on his candidacy for the Browns head coaching job.
Per NFL insider Tom Pelissero, McDaniel withdrew his name from consideration just 24 hours before his scheduled in-person interview (second overall interview with the team) on Wednesday.
While the “officially official” reason remains under wraps, the rumors are spinning faster than a McDaniel-designed jet sweep. Speculation is mounting that the former Dolphins coach wasn’t vibing with the current front office structure under GM Andrew Berry.
In Cleveland’s complex hierarchy, the power struggle is real, and a guy known for his quirky, independent genius might have not liked limited roster control under owner Jimmy Haslam’s “collaborative” approach. Or perhaps he simply prefers the allure of the Raiders’ cap space or a Lamar Jackson-led attack in Baltimore.
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Pelissero also reported, “McDaniel — who is still a candidate for the Ravens and Raiders HC vacancies — is interviewing for the Chargers offensive coordinator job today. He has multiple OC offers and could have a new home soon.”
With McDaniel out, the Browns’ swings to the other candidates in the next phase of the hiring process.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has already completed his second sit-down and remains a heavy favorite, while Ravens OC Todd Monken and Jaguars OC Grant Udinski are also coming in for meeting No. 2. Next up? Keep an eye on Rams pass-game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, who is slated for another visit soon.
Buckle up, Browns fans, the name of the Browns new head coach is still anyone’s guess.
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