CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns are zeroing in on their five finalists to replace former head coach Kevin Stefanski, but must also add a name to the list or interview one of their original candidates a second time — in person — to satisfy the Rooney Rule before they can make their head coach hire.
The Browns thought they were all set with two of their original six finalists counting towards the Rooney Rule, which stipulates that teams must interview two external diverse candidates – either a minority and/or a woman — in person.
But they were left with only one when former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel withdrew from the search on Tuesday and canceled his second interview with the Browns on Wednesday to take the Chargers offensive coordinator job. McDaniel had interviewed virtually with the Browns for the first time on Jan. 12.
McDaniel’s withdrawal left Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase as the lone minority among their remaining five finalists, and the Browns must wait until at least Monday to interview him because he’s facing the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.
Even if the Browns decide to hire Scheelhaase, they must still interview a second minority and/or female candidate in person.
One of their earliest interviewees, Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde, is a minority, but the Browns haven’t yet scheduled a second interview with him in person. If they do, he’d count as one, and Scheelhaase the other.
The Browns have also done a considerable amount of diligence on a number of candidates that they haven’t formally interviewed. They could opt to talk to one of them to satisfy the rule.
In the meantime, they’re locking in on their five finalists, which are their own defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and Scheelhaase.
In addition to fulfilling the Rooney Rule for their head coach vacancy, they must also do so for any coordinator vacancies, and for quarterback coach if Bill Musgrave doesn’t remain in that capacity.
Teams must interview two diverse candidates for their coordinator positions, either virtually or in person, and one for their quarterback opening.
The Browns now have at least one coordinator vacancy with offensive coordinator Tommy Rees leaving to join Stefanski in that capacity in Atlanta. They’ll have others if Schwartz gets promoted or leaves, and if special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone finds a new team.
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